HOUSTON -- A man who shot and killed two burglary suspects said it was self-defense, but a community activist called it murder, KPRC Local 2 reported Monday.

The case has been controversial since the shooting happened shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday at a home in the 7400 block of Timberline in the Village Grove East subdivision in Pasadena.

Community leaders gathered in front of the home where the accused burglars, Miguel DeJesus, 38, and Diego Ortiz, 30, were shot.

They said neighbor Joe Horn went too far.

"We believe Mr. Horn became judge, jury and executioner all at the same time. We believe that Mr. Horn violated direct orders from a 911 dispatcher," said Quanell X with the New Black Panther Party.

On the 911 call released by Pasadena police, Horn described seeing two men break into his neighbor's home, getting a shotgun and fatally shooting them.

Horn's attorney said it was self-defense.

"He told them to stop. They stopped and looked at him and became terrified. Then they jumped and he fired," attorney Tom Lambright said Friday.

"He killed those men in cold blood. Mr. Horn did not have to kill those men. So, we say that a life is too precious to go out with a gun over some stolen merchandise when no one's life is in danger," Quanell X said.

Quanell X and the other community leaders said they do not agree with breaking into someone's home. But they also said that crime does not justify shooting and killing the suspects.

No charges have been filed in the case. Officials said it could take several weeks before the case goes to a grand jury.

Horn's attorney did not return calls for comment on Monday.