A 78-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder after a suspected burglar was stabbed to death has been bailed.
The man, named locally as Richard Osborn-Brooks, was confronted by two intruders at his home in South Park Crescent, Hither Green, south-east London, early on Wednesday.
A man armed with a screwdriver forced the homeowner into his kitchen where there was a struggle and the suspect was stabbed, the Met said.
The suspected burglar who died has been named as Henry Vincent, 37, from Kent.
On Thursday, Police released Osborn-Brooks on bail after questioning him in connection with what happened during the suspected burglary at his London home at around 12.45am on Wednesday.
Police said they were called to the property over reports of a burglary when they found Vincent collapsed in nearby Further Green Road with a stab wound to the upper body.
A witness said an accomplice dragged Vincent toward a van before leaving him for dead.
A second suspect fled the scene and is still being hunted by police.
Adam Lake, another local resident, said he "wasn't surprised" to hear about the burglary.
"I feel terrible for the man that was burgled. He doesn't deserve to be punished for defending himself," he said.
A neighbor of Osborn-Brooks, who asked not to be named, supported his right to defend the neighborhood.
She said: "[I've heard] he's a carer - this is a pensioner that has worked all his life who wants to live and die quietly."
