It's believed the local saw a 4WD dual cab ute "loitering nearby" so he shone his torch at the vehicle on Alfred Road at Virginia about 2.30am.
"The car drove towards the man and then stopped about 100 metres from him when the resident heard four shots being fired," South Australia Police said in a statement.
"The man ran into his home and phoned police."
The ute was last seen on Alfred Road, heading towards Penfield Road.
On arrival at the scene, police located three spent shotgun cartridges and said no one was injured with no obvious property damage.
Investigations continue.
