Affair: Leonel Acevedo (pictured in an old mug shot) was reportedly having a relationship with his victim

New details have emerged in the shooting of a California grandmother by her former tenant this week, with reports the woman may have been involved with her killer, causing a 'love triangle' with her husband.

Authorities say that Leonel Acevedo, 45, was evicted from the home he was living in by the owner, Yolanda Najera, 53, in July.

However on Monday Acevedo returned to the house with two handguns around 2.15pm and held his former landlord hostage.

What followed was a three hour-long standoff with police, with Acevedo eventually shot dead by a sniper, and Najera's body later found inside the house with at least one gunshot wound.

Sources close to the investigation told NBC that Acevedo used his cell phone to 'taunt' Najera's husband during the stand-off.

The suggestion is that Acevedo and Najera had a relationship and that is why he was evicted, providing a possible motive.

Police have so far refused to comment.

Acevedo came outside the house about 5pm armed with both handguns and opened fire.

One officer was hit and suffered a flesh wound.

Another officer, a sniper, shot and killed Acevedo when he was inside the house. After storming the residence, police found Najera.

It is unclear whether she was killed before or during the hostage situation.

Authorities say that Leonel Acevedo, 45, was evicted from the San Jose home he was renting from Yolanda Najera, 53, in July, but returned on Monday and took her hostage

Scene: The stand-off started when Acevedo forced his way into the home - Camden Avenue near Del Paso Avenue - where he used to live

The stand-off lasted three hours before Acevedo emerged from the house and opened fire, hitting one officer. Another officer opened fire and killed Acevedo, whose body was found inside the house

In mourning: The victim's son, Jorge, described Yolanda Najera as a great mother and grandmother

The home is located on Camden Avenue near Del Paso Avenue, just north of Highway 85.

Police were called to the scene amid reports that a man had forced his away inside the property and fired shots at the ground.

Officers searched the home after the shooting and found the body of Najera. She had died from a gunshot wound, police told The San Jose Mercury News.

It is the 10th such shooting in San Jose this year, and the sixth fatal incident.

It also marked San Jose's 26th homicide of 2015.

At this time last year there were 31 homicides, the newspaper reported.

On Tuesday, family and friends had gathered outside the house.

The victim's son, Jorge, said the family were devastated by the loss.

'She was a great mom, she was a great grandma,' he told NBC.

Police are now investigating the motive of the shooting.

The officer who shot Acevedo has been placed on paid administrative leave, which is procedure in police shootings.