Intruder shot during Schuylkill home invasion

A home invasion Sunday night in North Manheim Township, Schuylkill County, ended when the property owner shot the intruder in the left arm and abdomen. Before that the burglar repeatedly assaulted the property owner.

Police said the victim is a 57-year-old Pottsville man who was inside his residence doing work at 6:03 p.m. when the suspect crossed the street and entered his garage, where he retrieved a gas can and then walked into the home.

Police said the man began pouring gasoline over the victim’s floor. The victim stood up and pushed the suspect out of the house.

Police said as a struggle ensued, the victim’s daughter retrieved her father’s handgun and gave it to him while calling 911.

Police said the assailant repeatedly “kept coming at the victim” and assaulted him, knocking him to the ground.

The homeowner got to his knees and fired a shot at the man, striking him in the left arm and abdomen. The man eventually went to the ground and laid there until police and emergency medical services personnel arrived.

State police at Schuylkill Haven said the assailant, whose name was not released, will be charged with burglary, simple assault and arson.

The man was flown to the Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest.