Columbia police are investigating an apparent attempted burglary where a boy put a stop to the intrusion by firing a shotgun at an armed assailant.

Police confirmed reports that a boy under 18 fired a shot at the intruder around 3:30 a.m. Wednesday on the 200 block of Union Street. The boy sustained a minor slash wound to the arm, but was not taken to the hospital, according to a LancasterOnline.com report.

The shotgun blast struck home furnishings, but police did not believe the intruder was struck, according to the report. The early indication is that the assailant struck while the boy was asleep and home alone, police said. No further details were available at the time of this post, but police said more information would be released as it becomes available.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned man about 6 feet 3 inches tall and 230 pounds. The man had a tattoo on his wrist, according to the report. The suspect was wearing a black leather jacket, black ski mask, black pants and dark brown sneakers.

Anyone with information on the incident is asked to call Columbia police at 717-684-3508, Lancaster City-County Crime Stoppers at (800) 322-1913 or anonymously text LANCS plus your message to 847411 (TIP411).