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Kentucky teen shoots and kills 2 home invaders

The 14-year-old boy was home alone and acted in self-defense after two men tried to steal firearms, police said.

A 14-year-old Kentucky boy shot and killed two men trying to steal firearms from a safe in a home over the weekend, police said.

Clay County 911 got a call at about 4:24 a.m. Sunday about a shooting incident in Manchester. Manchester police found two people had been shot and requested assistance from Kentucky State Police, state police said in a news release.

Investigators found that the teen, who lives at the home, discovered the two men inside and saw them holding firearms, state police said.

"The juvenile, acting in self-defense, retrieved a handgun and shot both men before escaping through a bedroom window," according to release.

Manchester Police Chief Jeff Couch told NBC News on Wednesday that no additional residents were in the home. It is unclear how the teen was able to find the handgun, which "belonged to his father," Couch said.

The teen is not in custody, he said.

State police identified the two men as Roger D. Smith, 44, and Jeffrey M. Allen, 51. Smith was taken to Advent Health Manchester, where he died from his injuries. Allen was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Clay County coroner confirmed both deaths. The medical examiner performed autopsies Monday. The investigation continues.

State police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.