A 60-year-old Chinese man was allegedly shot dead playing Pokemon Go by a neighborhood security guard.

Jiansheng Chen was sitting in his van in a parking lot in Chesapeake, Virginia, last Thursday when an altercation broke out between him and a security guard.

Chen's attorney Greg Sandler said the grandfather was parked outside the neighborhood's clubhouse because it was also Pokemon Go gym location.

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Jiansheng Chen, 60, was sitting in his van playing Pokemon Go in Chesapeake, Virginia last Thursday when he was shot dead allegedly by a neighborhood security guard

Chen's attorney Greg Sandler said the grandfather was parked outside the neighborhood's clubhouse (pictured) because it was also Pokemon Go gym location

He told WTKR Chen couldn't speak English and believes the argument may have broken out given the language barrier.

'I cannot imagine what could have justified shooting through the front windshield of Mr Chen's van five times,' Sandler said.

'His family is a homeowner in the area. Ironically, he is one of the people security is supposed to be protecting as a homeowner.'

The River Walk Community Association said they only hired unarmed security guards to patrol the neighborhood, so it was unclear why the man had a gun.

The security guard allegedly shot through Chen's windshield five times when he was parked outside the clubhouse, according to his lawyer

Chen's attorney Greg Sandler said Chen couldn't speak English and believes an argument may have broken out between him and the security guard given the language barrier

Chen's family said the 60-year-old did not own a gun.

Police are currently investigating to see whether any charges should be laid.

Chen had started playing Pokemon Go as a way to bond with his grandchildren.

His devastated brother told reporters Chen couldn't speak any English except for basic words like 'sorry' or 'bye'.