BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- A man breaking into an Ensley home in broad daylight was shot in the leg, suffering a possibly life-threatening injury after the bullet severed an artery, according to Birmingham police.

After the shooting, the man ran to a nearby home and collapsed on a porch. Police said he lost a lot of blood, and was taken to UAB Hospital.

Police and firefighters were called to 5900 block of Avenue M Ensley shortly before 11:30 a.m. The found the wounded man about a half block away.

Lemeril Sanders had just gotten off work and was inside his Avenue M home when he saw a man coming in through the rear window of the house. Sander's wife said the man must have pried open the large window.

"He told him to freeze and he didn't and he shot him," Sanders' wife said. "They weren't expecting nobody to be home."

The wife said she was on her way home from work when her husband called her. "He said 'Hurry up and get home, I just shot someone,''' she said.

Sanders' mother said her son saw the man coming through the window. The homeowner told police he saw the burglar reach for something behind his back and so Sanders grabbed his own gun. "He just pulled his before that man got his out,'' the mother said.

Police were questioning Sanders at the scene. His wife said her husband was fine. "He's just mad because normally me and my baby would be there," she said.

Neighbors gathered outside both scenes, and praised Sanders for his quick reaction. "I hate that man broke into the house but hope now he'll think about it before goes in anyone else's house," said a neighbor who didn't want her name used. "He got what he deserved."

Updated at 1:25 p.m. to include photos and additional information.