WATCH: Bedfordview community left reeling after well-liked security officer is shot dead

"The community is up in arms and there is an outpouring of emotions over this incident." These were the words of Bedfordview community policing forum chairperson Gavin Henry after a well-liked private security officer was shot and killed in the suburb on Wednesday night.

"The community is devastated and we have set-up a fund to help his family," Henry told News24.

According to Bedfordview police spokesperson Captain Andre de Jager, two RAG security officers were responding to a house alarm activation just after 20:00 on Wednesday night.

Upon arrival at the Sainsbury Road property, the officers saw the suspects jumping over a wall and gave chase.

"The officers caught up with the suspects and [while attempting] to apprehend them, one of the officers was shot in the head," de Jager said.

The officer, 33, was airlifted to Union Hospital in Alberton where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The second officer was unharmed. 

"The suspects managed to escape and some of the stolen items were recovered at the scene."

Bedfordview police are investigating.