A COMMUNITY has spoken of its shock and horror after a man died after being shot in their neighbourhood.

Residents gathered at the edge of a police cordon around the scene for most of the day, some to find out when they could get to their homes or businesses and others to find out what was going on.

Though many reflected on crime in the area and said the incident was unsurprising, others said that they had seen nothing like this before and that the area had really improved in recent years.

Ann McFarlane, 70, retired, of Hartington Road, Southampton, said: “It's horrible because of the amount of families that live down here, usually this market here is shock a block, it's frightening.

“I have lived here 32 years - we see fights and things like that but nothing as serious as this.

“I was up until 2am watching the goings on in Boston - to go and see this it brings it all back - we're not used to these things in England.”

Owner of Master Friers, a takeaway business, Litu Khan said: "It's normally alright round here but I think it will affect people because lots of people are worried about what has happened, what's going on and why.

"People want answers."

Saman Kadiri, 29, who owns Kocher Hairdreseers, in St Marys Street, added: "This is unacceptable - it has come as a shock."

A 74-year-old woman said: "I've been here 45 years and I thought this area was getting better but it's not.

"I've never seen so many police - not even at a football match."

A local cab driver, aged 30, said: "I had a lump in my throat when I was told what had happened.

"The first thing you think of is it could have been my family - anybody could have been walking by."

"It's a tragedy that a life has been lost regardless of whatever is behind it."

Carer Tina Driscoll, 44, from Radstock Road, Woolston, said: "It's scary and something you see in a movie and don't expect it to be here.

"It's frightening especially when you see the policemen's guns because we are not used to that."

A resident in his 40s said: “It's scary to know it's happening in your own street because we walk up here everyday."