Police have identified the man who was gunned down early Monday morning in Richmond as a 41-year-old who was known to law enforcement.

Officers found Joseph Lucien De Carvalho dying in front of a residential construction site on Bridge Street after responding to reports of shots fired around 3 a.m.

Despite attempts from police and paramedics to administer first aid, De Carvalho succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

Investigators believe his murder was targeted, but said there is no evidence linking the shooting to any other recent homicides.

Witnesses told CTV News they were startled out of bed by gunfire and the sound of someone screaming.

"It was enough to wake me up," said Harry Boyce, who lives in the neighbourhood. "I heard a scream… it sounded like a woman. And then I got up and just basically looked out the window."

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called to work alongside Richmond RCMP.

Officers were seen bagging evidence, placing orange cones down on the street, and using a police dog to search the area. They also spoke with a distraught woman at the scene.

It's unclear if anyone has been arrested or if any suspects have been identified.

The RCMP asked anyone with information on the crime to call the IHIT tip line at 1-877-551-4448, or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.

With files from CTV Vancouver's Nafeesa Karim