Aussie dad praises son who died defending family in US home invasion
The father of an Australian man shot dead in his home in the US while protecting his young family has hailed his son for his courageous actions which led to his death.
Brenton Estorffe, 29, was gunned down in his home near Houston just after midnight on Wednesday morning (local time) when he went to investigate the sound of broken glass coming from the rear of his property.
His father Mike Estorffe told Nine News his son’s instinct to protect his family when two male intruders broke into his home was a trait he helped mould from a young age.
"He was the one that fought off the intruders, he fought two of them away to protect his wife and kids and unfortunately he passed away doing it," he said.
"That's one of the things you try and instill in your kids, the things important in life. And important for him in life was his family, and that's what he protected."
The father described his son as “cheeky, intelligent and sincere”.
Tributes continued to pour in for Mr Estorffe on Friday, with family and friends taking to social media to share their grief.
His brother, Cobin Estorffe, who had also moved to the Houston area, took to Facebook mourning the loss of his sibling.
“Still not real brother, life will never ever be the same without you,” he wrote.
”Hands down you are my hero the way you stood up for your family can only dream to be a little bit like you.”
A GoFundMe page has since been set up for Mr Estorffe’s wife, Angeleanna, and their two children, Asher and Eliana.
Nearly $10,000 had been raised by Friday afternoon (Australian local time).
“[Brenton’s wife and children] have been deprived of a great father and loving husband. No amount of preparation could have prepared them for this adversity,” the page reads.
“At this time Angeleanna has been very distraught and trying to keep a brave face for their children.”
The page says the funds will go to support the family through their ordeal and cover funeral expenses.
As of midday on Friday, $6200 had been raised.
The violent death of the young dad formerly from Mooloolaba on Queensland's Sunshine Coast horrified the quiet community of Katy.
Local authorities have vowed to track down the intruders and are checking surveillance footage from the surrounding area.
"Pray for this young wife and her two small children because they are without their father," Sheriff Nehls said.
"He was there to protect his family."
Mr Estorffe's wife called 911 to report the intruders after the shooting started.
The former Queenslander reportedly moved to the US in 2011 to play American Football and study at South Virginia University.
He has been working for the Enterprise car rental company in Texas.
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