I Just Started Swinging': Shopkeeper Fights Off Masked Criminals With Common Household Item

A shopkeeper in England scared off two masked -- and seemingly armed -- criminals with a baseball bat, according to the Birmingham Mail.

The West Midlands Police released CCTV video of Kam Tanda, the 40-year-old owner of the Vardon Supermarket in Kings Norton, swinging wildly at the criminals and pushing a panic button. The masked men scuttled off with only some beer and a cell phone, according to reports.

“I dived on the floor and hit the button. I’ve got a baseball bat under the counter and I just started swinging that round,” Tanda said.

Kam Tanda chased off masked robbers with a baseball bat. (Image credit: The West Midlands Police)

Kam Tanda chased off masked robbers with a baseball bat. (Image credit: The West Midlands Police)

The shopkeeper said he "didn't think anything" at the time he fought back against the robbers, but the reality of what happened hit him shortly thereafter.

"My hands were shaking as the adrenaline kicked in," he said. "All sorts of things went through my head. Was it a real gun? Was it a replica? What if they shot it? ... Thank God nobody was hurt.”

Detective Con Katie Morris, the investigating officer, remarked: “The shopkeeper acted bravely to defend his livelihood and in this case it paid off, but the reality is this could have ended in tragedy. We would not recommend acts of heroism when confronted by a potentially loaded gun."

Watch the CCTV video, below: