A trio of criminals reportedly broke into a North Beaver Township, Pa., home early Friday morning and pistol-whipped one of the residents.
However, when the man managed to get his hands on a rifle, the thugs’ demeanor changed completely.
Police say the man opened fire on the suspects, hitting one of them in the chest. All three suspects ran scared from the house and “fled from the area,” Sgt. Steven Driscoll told WTAE-TV.
The suspect who was wounded was later found when he showed up at a hospital near New Castle, Pa., seeking medical treatment.
The suspect was flown to UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh for surgery. He was reportedly in critical condition on Friday. Police did not identify any of the suspects or the man who shot one of the intruders.
There were three residents living in the home — none of them were seriously injured.