A Texas man shot and killed an attempted burglar holding his family at gunpoint, authorities said.

The incident occurred around 8:30 p.m. Sunday when three armed men broke into a home in Port Arthur, news station KBTV reported.

The 29-year-old homeowner heard a commotion and came out of another room with a rifle to protect his family who was being held at gunpoint, police said.

He fired several shots and killed one of the men, who was identified as Terence Ellies, 27, police said.

Ellies was pronounced dead at the scene, while the two other men fled and remain at-large, the Beaumont Enterprise reported.

Police said the incident is under investigation.