A 10-year-old girl was caught in the crossfire during a shootout in Kenville Road on Friday night. The child, according to police opened the door to her family’s home and was faced by two men who were trying to break into the house – one of them was armed with a gun.

According to Lt Elvis Naidoo, Greenwood Park police spokesman, the victim, Nakesh Naidoo and his daughter were relaxing at home in front of the television at approximately 7pm, when they heard a noise coming from the front door.

Naidoo asked his daughter to investigate and within moments she began screaming – two armed men were attempting to break into the house.

Police said the homeowner ran to his daughter’s aid and attempted to prevent the two intruders from entering their home. One of the suspects then began shooting at Naidoo and managed to shoot him in his right hand.

The victim’s brother-in-law, Lawrence Krishna, who was also in the home at the time of the incident, heard the gunshots.

“After the victim was shot in the hand the brother-in-law began to shoot back at the gunman. He fatally shot him in the head. The second intruder then fled the scene and fired at the family through the windows,” said Lt Naidoo.

Eye witnesses claimed that the second intruder jumped into a white vehicle with three other men and they fled the scene. No guns were recovered, but bullet holes and casings were found.

The victim was reportedly treated by Netcare 911 paramedics and transported to a nearby hospital.

A case of attempted murder and attempted house robbery has been opened.

Lt Naidoo also confirmed that an in inquest docket has been opened and police will be investigating the death of the intruder.