A man attempting to shoot at a bear accidentally fired at his brother before turning the gun on himself.
He was trying to ward off the animal from his home when he mis-fired at his sibling, local police say.
The unnamed man from Oregon, US, took his own life after discovering what he had done on Tuesday morning.
Authorities say he grew concerned when he saw the huge bear approaching the property and fetched a gun to try and stop it approaching further.
Josephine County Undersheriff Travis Snyder confirmed the double death but said there was no sign of the creature.
“This is a terrible set of circumstances that took place,” Snyder said. “It’s a tragedy.”
"He told dispatchers he accidentally shot his brother while loading a gun because there was a bear on their property.
“I would never be surprised to see a bear in that particular part of our county. We have bears everywhere down here.
"Based upon the investigation, it is believed the caller took his own life after calling 911 to report the accidental shooting.
“This time of year is when they’re getting out of bed and looking for things to eat,” Snyder told OregonLive.
Deputies responded to a call in Sunny Valley and found a man dead from a gunshot wound, he said.
While checking the rest of the home, they found the body of a second man. He had died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the force confirmed.
Oregon, a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the Western United States, is home to at least 25,000 black bears, according to the Josephine County Park Department.
They urges homeowners to keep pet food, garbage and other items inside to "avoid potentially dangerous encounters."
Government stats show are 500 people a year die from unintentional firearm injuries.
The Parks Department said bear attacks are 'uncommon' - and the animals typically 'avoid human contact'.
Its advice reads: "If you encounter a bear, stay calm.
"Do not run or make any sudden movements. Back away slowly as you face the bear. Avoid direct eye contact with the bear."
