Friends have paid tribute to two men killed in a double homicide at a residential complex on Olliviers Road in Phillipstown.

Both men were in their 50s and died after a violent incident at the property early on Saturday morning.

One was from originally from Timaru, with a friend saying they had known him for more than 40 years.

Police were called to the complex about 12.50am.

Two other people were taken to hospital, one with serious injuries and one in a critical condition.

A close friend of the victims, who asked not to be named, told chrislynchmedia.com he wanted people to remember the men beyond their pasts.

“My two friends who passed away may not have been upstanding members of our community, but they had lives and people who loved them for who they truly were, not for their pasts, their beliefs or their opinions.

“When they let their guard down, you got to see the real people behind it all.”

He described the two people injured as “some of the most caring and willing to do whatever they can to help others.”

A witness said she saw about six police vehicles, an ambulance and armed officers outside the property after the incident.

She said one injured person walked towards an ambulance, while another person was taken away on a stretcher.

Police blocked off the street, preventing residents from returning to their homes.

Detective Inspector Greg Murton confirmed the two men were known to the man charged with their murders.

A 58-year-old man has been charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of wounding with intent.

He is due to appear in the Christchurch District Court on Monday.

Police have described the incident as isolated and said they are not seeking anyone else.

Police have not yet released the names of the men who died.