Two men charged for attempted robbery due in court

ROCKBRIDGE CO. (WSLS 10) - Two men charged with attempted robbery will have bond hearing Wednesday in Rockbridge County. 

Police say the two men went to a home along Sallings Mountain Road with the intent to rob the people living there. It led to a shootout and the homeowner shot two of the suspects.

Some residents in the area have asked what's the best way a homeowner can protect themselves. Roanoke Attorney Emmette Pilgreen said if you're in your house then it can usually be treated as self-defense, even if deadly force is used. 

"You have to have two aspects in a self-defense case. You have to be under reasonable fear for your safety and there has to be an overt act. In the home invasion situation that's the overt act. It creates the need for you use deadly force if need be," explained Pilgreen. 

Experts say you cannot use deadly force once an intruder flees the scene. The issue of personal and home protection is also leading to more gun sales.