Erin Lee Richardson had started working in construction since his recent release from prison before he died in a hail of bullets on his family property.

Mr Richardson, who was tried in January in connection with a home invasion, and was known to police, was gunned down in front of his Riviera Estate, Southampton home on Wednesday night.

But last night his grieving aunt Elizabeth Flores said: “He was shy, but he was happy and jokey — and he tried to be a good person.

“I don’t have any idea why it happened. He was just sitting outside where he lived.”

Ms Flores added that Mr Richardson, whose nickname was “Dirt”, had stayed at her home in Southampton’s Riviera Crescent.

“He was a good footballer and played football and cricket,” she said. “He used to go out with a clean uniform and when he came back it was black. That’s why they called him ‘Dirt’.”

It is not the first time the Riviera Crescent residence has been the scene of a shooting.

It is understood that the home of Mr Richardson — who had a record of minor dishonesty offences — had been targeted in a firearm attack two years ago.

One neighbour in Riviera Crescent, who asked not to be named, said the area was “generally quiet”.

But he added: “It’s had its challenges — it’s not the first time the house has been shot at, it was possibly two years ago.”

The neighbour said he heard gunshots around 10.45pm on Wednesday night but at first assumed it was a fireworks display at the nearby Fairmont Southampton hotel.

“It was multiple gunshots — five, possibly six,” he said. “By the time I looked outside, I couldn’t see anything, then other neighbours started to come out.

“When the police came, they came in numbers.”

Mr Richardson, 29, was shot in the yard of the house and made a desperate attempt to get to safety inside the property.

He failed to evade the bullets, however, and police said Mr Richardson had been hit by gunfire as he fled.

Police and paramedics tried to save him at the scene and he was rushed to the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, where he died of his injuries.

Close friend Arian Morris said: “He valued family, was incredibly smart and loved to have a good time. He was one of my favourite cousins. [He] always tried to keep a smile on peoples faces. He had a big heart.”

Rayjaun Raynor, who lives nearby and who once shared a house with the victim, said: “He was a friend. I just came home and everything had happened. I heard the sirens and I went upstairs to look.”

Mr Raynor added Mr Richardson had visited him only hours before he died.

“He was a good guy. He had just got a job and was trying to get his life right,” he said. “He was a friendly guy and was just trying to get his life together.”

Mr Richardson had been working as a labourer with construction firm Greymane for several weeks after being released from prison.

“He seemed like a nice enough guy who was doing reasonably well at work,” Alex DeCouto, Greymane president, said. “There were no problems with him or anything like that — it’s all very shocking.”

Appealing for witnesses, Detective Chief Inspector Nicholas Pedro said: “Mr Richardson was unmarried and had the rest of his life to look forward to living. He leaves behind many family members who are grieving his loss.

“We are now in the process of piecing together Mr Richardson’s final movements and activity with a view to identifying the motivation for his senseless killing.

“Officers are extremely keen to speak with anyone that may have seen two males — one tall male on the rear of a motorcycle and a shorter male rider of the bike, leaving Riviera Road in Southampton.”

DCI Pedro added both men wore dark clothing and the motorcycle had a “quiet running” engine.

Police forensic teams yesterday had the house cordoned off as they combed the area for evidence.

“Officers have collected significant forensic evidence from the scene and a forensic autopsy is due to be completed in due course,” said DCI Pedro.

Murder squad head Detective Inspector Dave Greenidge added: “We have actually had quite a positive response from members of the public, but we’d still like to urge any member of the public who has still not spoken to police to contact us.”

DI Greenidge refused to rule out a gang link to the killing.

“We would not rule out anything at this point — there is information we would not give to the media or members of the public ... we will keep all options open until we can solidify a motive,” he said.

And he added that extra police patrols would be deployed to the area — and other known trouble spots — in a bid to deter any tit-for-tat attacks.