A manhunt is currently underway following a violent incident where a man was struck in the head with a gun, which discharged during the assault.

The victim, a 27-year-old man, was attacked in Quakers Hill around 8 p.m. last night. The commotion drew residents out of their homes, eager to assist him.

“There was a very loud bang and a piercing scream, so we went out to investigate,” recounted witness Mitchell Klenner.

Klenner continued, “I ran back home, got bandages to compress the wound. He was bleeding rapidly.”

“You just want to help your fellow man,” he added, reflecting the community’s instinctive response to the harrowing situation.

Police and paramedics arrived but the attackers fled the scene shortly after the incident.

In a video filmed after the attack the man said “I was just stopping by. I came from Newcastle”.

It’s left residents scared,

”We’ve got young kids at home, this has been a safe neighbourhood. It’s absolutely terrifying seeing this crime on our street,” Klenner said.

Police say the attackers arrived in a black sedan before approaching the 27-year-old, who was inside his green Commodore.

A fight broke out and a single shot was fired.

Police are now searching for two people.

Police said they seized three mobile phones and a substance believed to be cocaine.

The victim remains in Westmead hospital.