Birch Street is a quiet thoroughfare, where residents sit on the porch at night in stillness. That’s why it was shocking to hear gunfire shatter the silence around 11 p.m. on Wednesday.
Police report a Brentwood man heard someone entering his home at that time. When investigating, he came face-to-face with two armed intruders. A neighbor, Reggie Nichols, told ABC7 what happened next: “They made him open the safe. After he opened the safe, I guess they weren’t ready for him.”
The homeowner managed to grab his gun and fire, and responding officers discovered both suspects dead from their wounds at the scene. Nichols continued, “I think he had the right to do what he did. 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.” Police Lt. Walter O'Grodnick said no charges will be filed as the victim clearly fired in self-defense.
