A man has died after being shot dead outside his home in what police believe was a targeted attack.

The 20-year-old man, who was known to NSW Police, was found unresponsive on a footpath near his home in Sydney’s southwest on Tuesday.

Paramedics tried to revive him, but he died at the scene.

Multiple shots were fired from a dark-coloured sedan before it left the area on Stella Street in Fairfield Heights about 8.30am, police said.

Detective Superintendent Michael McLean said the victim’s “history and other associations” would form part of the police investigation.

He added that it was fortunate no one else was hit.

“Any shooting that occurs on our streets is a concern for us but given the time of day clearly that heightens risk,” Det Supt McLean told reporters.

“We’re satisfied that the shooting is targeted and we’ll conduct our further inquiries in respect to any links to other crimes throughout the day.”

Police are canvassing CCTV in an attempt to trace the dark sedan’s movements.

– AAP