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A 76-year-old man is fighting for his life after he was shot three times outside his home early Friday morning. (Stephen Dethrage | AL.com)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama -- A 76-year-old man was severely injured when he was shot three times and returned fire with a pistol of his own while entering his Tuscaloosa home early Friday morning.

Dale Phillips, the commander of the Tuscaloosa County Metro Homicide Unit, said the elderly man arrived at his home around 2:30 Friday morning when a man waiting on his porch drew a gun and shot him as he tried to enter the residence on 18th Street.

Phillips said the man drew his own firearm and shot back. It's unknown if the suspect was hurt, but the victim was hit at least three times.

The victim was taken to DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa for treatment of wounds that Phillips said appear to be life-threatening.

The homicide unit has been unable to find any witnesses to the shooting and Phillips said the motive is still a mystery, although robbery has not been ruled out.

The case is still under investigation, and anyone with information on the shooting is asked to call the Tuscaloosa Police Department or the homicide unit, who can be reached at 205-464-8692.