KENT, WA — A homeowner in Kent, Washington, faced a terrifying encounter when an intruder broke into his home during the early hours of Tuesday morning, forcing him to take defensive action to protect his family.

The incident occurred at around 1:27 a.m. on the 26600 block of 134th Ave SE, as reported by the Kent Police Department. The homeowner, who remains unnamed for privacy concerns, recounted that he was awakened by the sudden presence of an intruder in his bedroom. The man, described as over 6-foot-5, had turned on the bedroom light, catching the homeowner, his wife, and several family members off guard.

In a state of shock, the homeowner acted quickly. He grabbed objects from a nearby nightstand, striking the intruder and forcing him out of the bedroom. This brief moment of distraction allowed the homeowner to access his safe and retrieve his firearm.

With five children also in the house, the homeowner felt an urgent need to defend them. “I shot two rounds,” he told KOMO News, uncertain at the time if the shots had struck the intruder.

Kent police received a call later that morning, around 3:05 a.m., reporting a man with a gunshot wound at an apartment on SE 272nd Street, approximately 15 minutes from the scene of the break-in. The wounded individual matched the description of the burglary suspect. Officers applied emergency treatment, and the man was transported to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the torso. He was identified as a 39-year-old Kent resident.

Authorities confirmed that the homeowner, who legally owned his firearm and possessed a concealed pistol license, acted lawfully in the defense of his family. Reflecting on the event, the homeowner expressed that he would not hesitate to repeat his actions if his family’s safety was at risk.

“This is my home. I gotta protect my family. That’s just the end of it,” he stated.

In self-defense situations, quick thinking and preparedness can make all the difference. This incident serves as a reminder to have a home defense plan in place, especially in households with multiple family members. Prioritizing safety and ensuring access to secure, legally owned firearms can be vital when faced with an imminent threat.