A MASKED killer is the run after gunning down a man in his own home.

Toan Thoai Truong confronted an intruder before dawn and was shot and fatally wounded.

But his heavily pregnant wife saw the gunman as he fled, and was able to give police a description.

media_camera Grief at the scene of the shooting in Sunshine West. Picture: Tony Gough

The homicide squad’s Detective Inspector Mick Hughes said the couple heard a noise in their Sunshine West home about 5.25am.

An unarmed Mr Truong, 43, went downstairs to investigate and came face to face with the intruder, who opened fire.

media_camera Murder victim Toan Truong.

Mr Truong called out to his wife to ring 000, but he died before police and paramedics arrived.

The couple’s young son was in the house at the time.

Police confirmed the dead man’s wife saw the shooter, who fled moments later.

It is believed he broke in through a back window. Shattered glass was found.

It is not known if the killing was intentional or whether it was the result of a burglary gone wrong.

Police and the State Emergency Service scoured the area around the home, in Allison St near the corner of Hilma St, for the gunman.

They also searched for the gun, hunting in bins.

Detectives released a description of the killer, saying he was thin, of Caucasian appearance, about 168cm tall, green-eyed, and was wearing a blue mask and black cap.

media_camera People, believed to be family members, at the scene. Picture: Tony Gough

media_camera Detectives investigate. Picture: Tony Gough

Mr Truong is believed to be of Vietnamese heritage and to have been in Australia for a number of years.

Neighbour Matt Swan, who moved in opposite the large white brick house a month ago, said he would often see Mr Truong, in overalls, pottering in his shed.

Shocked neighbours on their morning walk found their street blocked off by police tape.

Resident Alana Dalli said she believed the Truong family had moved in only in the past few years.

Ms Dalli said she had grown up in the street, but the area had recently been acquiring a bad reputation for violence and crime.

“We’ve never had dramas in this street — we’ve barely had problems. It’s only the last few years that it’s turned this way,” she said.

“To wake up to this — what kind of world do we live in? It’s heartbreaking. I feel very sorry for the family.”

ashley.argoon@news.com.au