HICKORY, N.C. -- Police in Hickory are trying to figure out if a shooting early Friday morning was a case of self-defense.

That shooting happened at a home on Fifth Avenue Southwest around 4:30 a.m.

Police said Terry Lee Atkins was shot in the chest and then went to two homes nearby looking for help. Investigators believe Atkins may have gone to a home with a .12-gauge shotgun to rob the people inside, but was instead met with gunfire. The homeowners said they had no choice.

Investigators recovered a shotgun dropped in a nearby yard.

Police said Atkins underwent surgery Friday afternoon.

Officers interviewed 12 people in the case. They plan on turning the evidence over to the district attorney's office to determine whether charges should be filed.