Memphis, TN – A Tennessee man used his AK-47 to shoot and kill two armed burglars who broke into his home.

The homeowner, who asked not to be identified because he feared retribution from the criminals’ families, said he and a friend had returned to his home from the barbershop at about 7 p.m. on June 1, when he noticed his door was pried open and his dog was barking like crazy, WREG reported.

He said he found 28-year-old Azell Witherspoon and 17-year-old Demond Robinson ransacking his home, according to WHBQ.

The two burglars pulled out their guns.

The homeowner’s friend ran out the front door to get police, and Witherspoon and Robinson fired their pistols at him, WHBQ reported.

That’s when the homeowner made a dash for his own closet and was able to retrieve his AK-47.

The homeowner said he just “let loose” shooting at the suspects, and wasn’t aware if he had hit both burglars, according to WHBQ.

Police said the attempted burglars were shot and died at the scene, WREG reported.

The homeowner said it was the second time his home has been shot at in less than a year.

“We’re in Memphis, you’re going to need a gun,” he told WHBQ,

“I don’t know what’s going on but I know I’m going to defend my life to the best of my ability,” the homeowner said, according to WMC-TV.

The homeowner was able to provide video from his home surveillance system to back up his claim that the shootings were in self-defense.

The Memphis Police Department posted a tweet that said “no criminal charges will be filed at this point” against the homeowner.

The homeowner said he regretted having to kill the intruders but said he believed it was either them or him.