GRESHAM, Ore. -- A person who kicked down an apartment door was shot and injured Thursday night, Gresham police said.

Officers were called at 9:11 p.m. on Thursday about someone trying to kick in Nathan Brown's apartment door in the 1200 block of East Powell Boulevard.

Brown said his 2-year-old daughter was sleeping when he heard a loud noise.

"I heard three distinct loud bangs like someone was kicking my door. It wasn't like a knock, it was emotionally charged. It scared me," Brown said.

He grabbed his handgun and cracked the door to see who was there.

Brown said two men were standing outside, shouting at him in Spanish. Brown said he told them to go away but then one man kicked the door, broke the lock and barged in.

"I cocked the gun again and expelled a bullet so he knew it was loaded and I said, 'Stop, I'll shoot you,'" Brown said. "I pointed the gun at him and I said, 'Stop,' one more time and that's when I shot."

The intruder was struck in the thigh, police said. Officers said the wound is not life-threatening.

Both of the men then ran away and Brown and his girlfriend called 911.

Police surrounded the apartment complex and found the injured intruder.

"I don't feel safe here, which is why I bought the guns in the first place," Brown said.

Brown is a full-time student and a single dad. He said he's never been an advocate of keeping guns at home, but was grateful he was prepared.

"It's sad that somebody like myself, who's just trying to protect his family, has to own a gun in this day and age," he said.

Gresham police remain tight-lipped about the case.

The intruder was arrested, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.

Intruder Shot At Gresham Apartment