Police in Port Elizabeth is investigating a charge of murder after an armed robber accidentally shot and killed his accomplice.
Spokesperson Captain Johan Rheeder says five men tried to break into a business in Burman road at about 3.30 am on Friday and overpowered one of the security guards who was patrolling the back gate.
He says they stole his backpack with personal belongings and wrestled with him, pinning him down on the ground.
The 34-year-old guard called his 36-year-old colleague, who was patrolling the front gate at the time.
Rheeder says when the front guard saw what was happening he locked himself in the office and tried calling for help.
One suspect then ran into the office and threatened to kick open the door.
The guard complied and when he saw that the suspect was unarmed he too wrestled with the man.
The suspect shouted to one of his accomplices to "come and shoot the guard".
Realising that he might be killed the guard let go of the suspect and locked himself in his office again.
Rheeder says it was at this point that a shot going off and the suspects could be heard running away.
The two guards, thinking they were safe, started patrolling the property when they came across one of the suspects with a gunshot wound in his neck.
He was already dead.
Police are investigating a case of murder and armed robbery.
