A Harlem store owner spoke out Friday, saying he feels sick about opening fire on four would-be robbers yesterday, killing two of them, but that he did not have another option.

Police say Charles Augusto Jr., 72, pulled out his 12-gauge shotgun and fired three blasts Thursday after one of the four suspects entered his restaurant supply store on 125th Street, announced a robbery and began pistol whipping an employee.

"Only one showed up with a gun in his hand, screaming 'I want the money,'" explained Augusto. "And my worker was down there and the guys down there started beating up on him, thought he had money."

Two of the suspects were killed, and two others were injured, as they tried to leave the scene.

Investigators say Augusto, known as "Gus" to neighbors, will not be charged and is being treated as a witness.

"I did the only thing I could do at that time," he said. "Tried as long as I could not to, tried to get out of it; they wouldn't let me get out of it."

Police say Augusto told them he bought the gun after a robbery 20 years ago and had never fired it before. He says last night's incident could have been prevented.

"How would you feel? This is terrible. This is really awful," said Augusto, who was back at work today. "I can't imagine it. Some young kids are dead because they're stupid."

"He saved our lives. He saved our lives, man," said store clerk J.B. "That's all I could say."

The two injured suspects were arrested and taken to the hospital. Charges against them are pending.