A homeowner on Tuesday afternoon fired on two would-be burglars, who fled, Lexington police said.

Police are using dogs and a helicopter to search for the men. They are described as a black man and a white man, both about 5 feet, 8 inches tall. The black man is described as wearing a jacket and having multiple tattoos. The white man was wearing a white shirt and jeans.

Around 3 p.m., two men knocked on the door of a home in the 1000 block of Colorado Road and asked for a man named John.

The victim, a young man, said no one named John lived at the home, and the two men forced their way inside, Sgt. Franklin Patrick said. After falling, the victim grabbed a firearm. After the weapon was fired, the two men ran. Patrick said it was an intended burglary.

"There is a clear motive," Patrick said. "This does not appear to be a random act."

He said the men are not considered dangerous.

Taylor Pettit: 859-231-3205 Twitter: @heraldleader