Brentwood police say deadly double shooting was self-defense

BRENTWOOD, Calif. (KGO) -- Brentwood police say a deadly double shooting Wednesday was self-defense during a home invasion. They say two suspects tried to rob a man at his Birch Street home.

It happened shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday. The homeowner, who was home alone, ended up shooting both suspects.

Neighbors say the street is quiet. They sit on their porch at night and there's a school nearby. That's why hearing gun shots was so shocking. Then it was even more disturbing to learn those shots were fired by a resident who police say appeared to be defending his life.

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"About 10 shots, two with a pause and then about eight more rapidly," said neighbor Reggie Nichols. He heard gunfire coming from his neighbor's house.

His home surveillance video shows what happened next. The camera captured Nichols checking the street to see what was happening.

"I could see the guy lying in the street, so then I came back and got my flashlight and got my phone, ran over there. He was still alive but he wasn't doing good," Nichols said.

Nichols' neighbor then came over and explained what happened. They called police.

"They made him open the safe. After he opened the safe, I guess they weren't ready for him," he said.

Brentwood police say two suspects came onto the neighbor's property to rob him but the man was able to get his gun, firing two shots, killing both suspects.

Investigators say one suspect had a gun, too. "The victim did fire his weapon in self-defense. And there have been no formal charges filed at this point," Brentwood Police Dept. Lt. Walter O'Grodnick said.

"I think he had the right to do what he did. Like I said, I've seen him. He was really shook up. I don't think he wanted to do it but he felt like his life was in danger," Nichols said.

Neighbors say there was someone in a getaway car who drove off. Police say their investigation is still active and ongoing.

Police say both suspects were male Antioch residents in their 30s. Their identities are being withheld while police investigate and work to inform their families.