Around 3 a.m. Sunday, a Woodland, WA man heard a noise outside his home. He grabbed his shotgun and headed outside to investigate.

When he made it outside, he encountered 39-year-old Timothy Surrena, who wrestled with the homeowner for the shotgun.Surrena took the weapon and used it to beat the homeowner in the head and face. As he ran down the street to a nearby house, he fired shots into the air.

Clark County Sheriff deputies, along with Ridgefield and La Center officers, responded to the scene. The Southwest Washington Regional SWAT team arrived and took Surrena into custody. He was transported to Clark County Jail, where he was booked for 1st degree assault, 1st degree robbery, and theft of a firearm.

This homeowner is lucky to be alive. He could have easily been shot by his own weapon. The robber had no problem getting the shotgun away from him.

Which leads me to my next point…

It’s important to remember a couple things if you ever encounter a intruder on your property:

NEVER, under any circumstances, leave your home to investigate. 
You’re blindly walking into a situation where the criminal (or criminals) have the upper-hand. He or she knows to watch the doors in case the homeowner hears them and comes outside. This gives them the opportunity to hide and ambush you. It may be their intent to draw your outside.

Don’t pull a gun unless you’re ready and willing to use it.
If you’re afraid to use your gun or lack the willpower to shoot someone in a self-defense, do not introduce a firearm into the situation.