MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – A Miami Gardens woman possibly saved her children's life earlier this month after an intruder broke into their home.
Surveillance video obtained Tuesday by Local 10 News shows a man entering the home March 4 while the mother of two was inside with her 10-year-old daughter and 3-year-old son.
The mother didn't hesitate to grab her shotgun.
"I will do anything to protect my family," the woman, who does not want to be identified, said.
The woman, who did not fire her gun, said she is still shaken up and frightened about the ordeal.
"All of the sudden I hear some banging noise. I thought it was my dreams or something," she said.
The woman said her instincts kicked in.
As her security cameras captured the man attempting to break into her home, she quickly rushed into her bedroom and grabbed her shotgun to protect her children.
"They were screaming and crying hysterically, because they were afraid of anything happening," she said.
The burglar quickly realized that he was in serious trouble after making it inside the home.
"He was running for his life and kept looking back, making sure I wasn't going to shoot him in the back," the woman said.
"What stopped you from killing this guy?" Local 10 News reporter Michael Seiden asked.
"My kids. Not traumatizing them and I did have a baby," she said.
Police said they are still searching for the burglar.
"I don't sleep great at night. Any little noise I listen to, I have to constantly look at my camera or look at my window," the woman said.
Police said the burglar got away in a stolen Mercedes-Benz, which was recovered in Miami.
Anyone with information about the burglar's identity is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.