James Lewis, 66, of Chicago, was shot dead while trying to stop a 17-year-old niece from assaulting at home on the evening of November 7.

A 25-year-old man climbs through a window, sneaking into the bedroom of a 17-year-old girl in a residential area in Burnside, Chicago, USA at about 21h on 7/11. The suspect tied the victim and attempted to rape her.

Hearing the scream of his niece, his uncle James Lewis ran to her bedroom when he was "loved by the blue beard" in the back and head.

The 66-year-old was later taken to the University of Chicago Medical Center but doctors were unable to save him. The 17-year-old girl was also taken to Advocate Trinity Hospital and is now in stable condition.

The police later arrested the suspect, who had a criminal record, and planned to prosecute him on multiple charges.

Eugene Booze, a neighbor of the family, said Lewis was a very good man. When the incident happened, Booze was in the living room playing dominoes with friends but found nothing out of the ordinary until a police car appeared outside.

Chicago police are continuing to collate the testimonies of those involved to clarify the case.