A housebreaking incident in Ermelo at 03:35 yesterday resulted in the death of one person with police investigating several criminal cases.

According to the owner of the house, he was sleeping when his wife woke him up saying she heard a noise in the yard.

He looked through the window and initially only saw two men. He alleges that he took his firearm and fired a warning shot.

According to the homeowner, one of the suspects then fired shots at him. He claims he returned fire, firing several shots in the direction of the suspects.

One suspect fell while two others ran away. The unidentified person who collapsed, died on the scene.

A remote control for a television was found in the deceased’s possession and the owner’s television was removed from where it was mounted on the wall.

Ermelo police spokesperson, Captain Carla Prinsloo, says cases for housebreaking, theft and murder have been opened.