NEW YORK - A man was shot dead in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, Monday afternoon, and the spot scene has been cordoned off by the police with detectives interviewing the witnesses and making investigation into the case.

The shooting took place just before 2 pm in front of Saint Thomas Choir School near Columbus Circle between Broadway and 7th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, where is filled with midday tourists, shoppers and office workers.

According to the witness, as the victim was walking down the street, a gunman walked up behind him, pulled out a silver pistol, and fired a single shot into the back of his head. The gunman then got into a waiting grey car and drove off.

The victim, whose name had not been released, was rushed to a nearby hospital and was pronounced dead upon arrival, authorities said.  It has yet to be known who has conducted the crime and for what reasons, while police are reviewing surveillance camera footage from the area and believe they have a picture of the gunman.

A police officer gestures to pedestrians to use the other side of the street at the site of a shooting near Columbus Circle in Manhattan, New York Dec 10, 2012. New York City police are looking for a suspect after a person was shot in the head in Manhattan, local media reported. [Photo/Agencies]