By Benita Heath

KITTS HILL — An alleged home invasion has ended with the suspect being shot.

According to Lawrence County Sheriff’s Detective Jason Newman, at approximately 2 p.m. Friday a homeowner on County Road 19 heard a noise in his house and went to investigate.

“He was home by himself and went to check and saw another man,” Newman said. “The suspect had broken through the door. The homeowner had a firearm and fired multiple shots striking the suspect in the cheek and abdomen.”

The suspect then fled in his own car and wrecked, Newman said.

Joseph F. Willis, 37, of Ironton, was taken to Cabell Huntington Hospital, where he underwent surgery Friday evening. He will be facing aggravated burglary charges and possibly others, Newman said.

The incident remains under investigation. No charges have been filed against the homeowner, who was uninjured.