Video shows moment homeowner shoots dead two thieves who tried to get him to open safe

A neighbour's security camera has captured the moment a homeowner shot dead two men who broke into his California home last week.

The footage, obtained by KTVU, shows two men walking around the exterior of the Brentwood home before they enter through the garage.

Neighbour Reggie Nichols told the news outlet the men demanded the homeowner open a safe in his garage, which contained the gun.

One of the robbers can be seen through a garage window before two flashes are captured on the video. The video then shows the homeowner shooting his gun outside the garage on his driveway as the suspects tried to flee.

Both men, who police declined to identify, were pronounced dead at the scene.  

The homeowner was arrested, but has since been released by police after they determined he was acting in self-defence.

Police said they are continuing to investigate.