11-year-old boy shoots dead intruder while home alone with younger sister

An 11-year-old boy left at home with his younger sister has shot dead a teenage intruder who attempted to break into their home.

Police were called to the home in St Louis in the US state of Missouri on Thursday and on entering found the body of a 16-year-old in the foyer.

The boy who shot the intruder was in the house alone with his four-year-old sister.

Two suspects had tried to break into the house. They had tried twice but on the third attempt one of them went through the home's unlocked front door.

Police say the boy shot the 16-year-old teenager in the head.

The second suspect fled following the shooting, but was later caught nearby.

The 11-year-old boy and his sister were not injured in the incident.

Police believe the mother bought the gun because of previous break-in attempts.

The names of the suspects have not been released.