A gunman unloaded three shots on a busy commercial strip in Brooklyn early Tuesday night, killing a man with a single shot to the back of the head.

The dead man, a young Latino whom police did not immediately name, fell dead in the crosswalk at 5th Ave. and 53rd St. in Sunset Park, blood pouring from one of his ears, a witness said.

The shooting, which a police source said is being investigated as a possible gang rubout, happened about 7:40 p.m.

“This area is really busy at that time,” said area resident Jennifer Diaz, 24. “For someone to do this that early, it’s crazy.”

Police used a K-9 unit to search the rooftops of local buildings for the gunman, who left behind a piece of evidence — his jacket, the police source said.

The shooter was also a Latino, police said, describing him as being about 5-foot-3. He wore light blue pants and a white T-shirt.

A witness said the killer targeted the victim and moved in close to him before pulling the trigger.

“He got shot at close range,” said the witness, an area resident who declined to give his name but said he was walking down 5th Ave. at the time of the apparent hit.

Area resident  49, complained of violence in the neighborhood, which is troubled by battles among gangs, some of them Mexican.

“I see the dead bodies on TV, but not in person,” she said. “I came when I heard, fearing it was one of my kids — thank God mine are okay. Too bad for this man's family.”

A 17-year-old resident said he was playing video games inside his apartment, which overlooks the scene, when the shots rang out.

“I heard three gunshots — I waited a while to look out because you never know if a bullet is going to fly in,” he said.

He said that once it was clear, he looked out the window and saw the man dead in the street.:Text may be subject to copyright.This blog does not claim copyright to any such text. Copyright remains with the original copyright holder

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