A Kentucky child shot and killed two men attempting to steal firearms from a safe within a home early Sunday morning, police said.
Clay County 911 received a call at approximately 4:24 a.m. regarding a shooting incident in Manchester. Upon responding, Manchester Police found two individuals had been shot and requested assistance from Kentucky State Police, according to a news release from KSP.
Investigators found that the child, who is a resident of the home, discovered the two men inside and saw them holding firearms, KSP said.
“The juvenile, acting in self-defense, retrieved a handgun and shot both men before escaping through a bedroom window,” according to KSP.
It is unclear how the child was able to locate a handgun or if any additional residents were present in the home at the time of the incident.
The two men have been identified by state police as 44-year-old Roger D. Smith and 51-year-old Jeffrey M. Allen. Smith was transported to Advent Health Manchester, where he died from his injuries. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene.
The deaths of both men were confirmed by the Clay County Coroner. Autopsies were performed by the medical examiner on Monday. The investigation remains ongoing.
Manchester Police Department and Kentucky State Police did not immediately respond to NBC News requests for comment.
