A 21-year-old man has been shot in the chest in front of his family outside a home in Bentleigh East in Melbourne this morning.

About 6.30am this morning the man was confronted by a group of men in a car, according to police.

One of the men got out of the car and opened fire, hitting him twice.

Neighbours said they were shocked to hear a shooting had taken place on their street. (9NEWS)

The man was taken to the Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition where he remains under police guard.

It is understood a number of the victim's family members were home at the time and witnessed the shooting.