Nigerian basketball player shot dead after 'trying to rob home in Texas'

A Nigerian national basketball player was shot dead in a botched burglary in Texas before Thanksgiving.

Chinedu Onyeuku, 29, was trying to break into a home in Plano on November 21 and was shot and killed by the homeowner, police say.

Onyeuku had played for the Nigerian team that qualified for this summer’s Olympic Games in London.

According to the Dallas News, Onyeuku and another person allegedly tried to break into a residence on Rio Grande Street in Plano, Texas the night of November 21.

Team Nigeria

The homeowner told Plano police that he saw ‘multiple people’ approaching the house.

The two apparently entered the residence by breaking a glass patio door.

The homeowner shot Onyeuku, killing him instantly. His accomplice ran away without injury. Police are still trying to track the second burglar.

Upon their arrival, EMT workers pronounced him dead at the scene.

It is unclear why Onyeuku and his companion were trying to burglarize the residence.

The Nigeria Basketball Federation posted a statement saying that the 29-year-old athlete played basketball for the team that qualified for the London 2012 Olympics.

However, Onyeuku was not on the Olympic roster and did not actually compete.

The statement reads: ' His passion for playing with D’Tigers was deep-seated and he will be greatly missed. The federation joins his family and team mates to mourn a departed son, father, husband and great patriot.'

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