A man who was shot three times at Deer Park in Melbourne’s west is known to police.

Police were called to the suburb on Saturday night after the injured man approached a resident for help at around 11.45pm (AEDT).

The 42-year-old Richmond man was taken to The Alfred Hospital with life-threatening chest injuries, police said.

Detective Inspector Adrian Dalzotto from the armed crime taskforce says the injured man is known to police and they hope to interview him once he has had surgery.

Det Insp Dalzotto said police are unsure where the shooting occurred.

“We can’t say with certainty it actually happened in this street,” he told reporters.

Det Insp Dalzotto says police have no suspects yet and want anyone with information to contact them.

The man’s car was found parked in the street and has been impounded for forensic examination.