A neighbour thought he heard a car backfiring before finding the road beside his home was a crime scene.

A man in his 20s is fighting for his life after he was shot Thursday (July 25) at around 5.20pm while travelling southbound on the A41 North Western Avenue, before the occupants of a black BMW made off towards the M1.

The road was closed from the M1 up to the Meriden Estate. While police combed the area around the carriageway behind a cordon at the Meriden end, many who live nearby say they were unaware such a “scary” event had taken place so nearby.

Sheriff Stewart may have heard a gunshot during the attack.Sheriff Stewart may have heard a gunshot during the attack. (Image: Newsquest)

Sheriff Stewart, who lives just across from the police cordon, said yesterday: “I didn’t see anything, I was in the back bedroom. I thought it was a car backfiring, you get those cars going past.

“I didn’t find out until today, I didn’t even know what was going on until a detective came round.”

“There are always accidents out here, it did seem strange," the 76-year-old added. Normally if you have an accident it’s closed for two or three hours.”

Another Colne Way resident, Teresite Phillip, said she came home from work to find police all around her home at 6pm.

Police were combing the A41 this afternoon.Police were combing the A41 this afternoon. (Image: Fintan McGuinness)

“Oh my god,” she said. “It’s a bit scary if this happens in this area. We’re not far from where the three ladies were shot in Bushey.”

Across the A41, Valerie Dillingham says her husband heard a commotion at the time but initially they put it down to a something in a nearby house.

Many other residents said they did not hear a thing but, like Valerie, were “shocked” to find a cordon up in the morning — even more so to find out why. Rahul Patel, who expected it to have been a “roadside collision” found it “concerning” to know it was linked to violence.

Police seen in Lower High Street yesterday.Police seen in Lower High Street yesterday. (Image: MJ’s Laptops & Mobiles)

Later in the afternoon, Herts Police revealed they were linking the shooting to other targeted violence in the town including two recent stabbings and a man reportedly being chased with a gun in High Street.

Police were also called to the area outside Watford High Street Station yesterday evening, this was linked to the attacks, but the details are not yet confirmed.

A man was reportedly chased with a gun on July 10, near Watford High Street Station.A man was reportedly chased with a gun on July 10, near Watford High Street Station. (Image: Submitted)

In the town centre yesterday, shoppers also shared their concerns. Syliva Tute said recent crime in the town is something she is aware of, but she worries more about young people than those her own age following recent attacks, which are believed to be targeted.

She added that her son, 22, now avoids areas of the High Street because of people he apparently knows to be involved in crime.

“It just seems to be spreading out of London for the last few years,” added Bob Lindsey, 71. “I’m not surprised by it.”

Bob Lindsey, says he isn't surprised to hear of recent crime.Bob Lindsey, speaking near St Mary's Church today says he isn't surprised to hear of recent crime. (Image: Newsquest)

Meanwhile, 42-year-old Aden Kardoh felt that it was not something that affects the average person’s experience in Watford. He added: “It’s a bit worrying but I haven’t seen anything and I have been here for 10 years.”

A word all three mentioned was “gangs”. Herts Police have not confirmed whether any incidents are being treated as gang-related.

Following the shooting, an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, while a 17-year-old girl has been arrested on suspicion of assisting offenders.