CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Jamie Harris woke up Tuesday morning in his southwest Charlotte apartment and realized an intruder was inside his home. He grabbed his gun and shot the intruder.

"My girl was sitting on the couch and all of a sudden I hear two booms. After the second boom, I got up and the dude was already in the house," said Harris.

Not knowing if the intruder was armed, Harris grabbed his gun, but quickly lost control of it.

"He had it to my head, but somehow I reversed it," He said.

Harris then shot the intruder in the leg. He said he had no choice. Knowing his fiancé and baby were inside the apartment, Harris said, "That's what gave me the intention to shoot."

Officials say the intruder wasn't armed. According to police statistics from January through August, there were 408 home break-ins in the area of southwest Charlotte.

Neighbor Sandra Glover said she's not quite sure how she feels about Harris using his gun.

Video

VIDEO: Intruder Shot In The Leg

"I wouldn't say it's right. But you know, you have to be safe in your home," she said.

Sandra hopes that the incident sends a message to criminals that victims are prepared to defend themselves.

The intruder was caught not far from where he was shot. Police say he was taken to the hospital and that his gunshot wound to the leg was not life threatening.

Officials say they will be filing felony breaking and entering charges against the intruder.