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North Seattle man fights off intruder with frying pan during early morning break-in

SEATTLE — Police say a father tried to defend himself and his daughter with a frying pan after someone broke into their home.

The break-in happened around 2:40 a.m. on Brooklyn Avenue Northeast in Seattle.

Police say the intruder armed himself with a kitchen knife, fought the homeowner and cut him in the leg.

The homeowner was able to get the suspect outside away from his daughter. The two continued to fight and the suspect was cut in the neck. The homeowner held him down until police arrived.

The 15-year-old daughter texted 911 to report the break-in. She wasn’t hurt.

Anyone in Washington can text 911 when they are unable to call.

Firefighters treated the homeowner for stab wounds, and paramedics took him to the hospital.

Police and firefighters also treated the suspect, and medics transported him to the hospital in serious condition with life-threatening injuries. The suspect is currently in critical condition and under armed police guard at Harborview Medical Center.

Neighbors say they were surprised to hear what happened.

“There have been... where people have come home and there’s someone in their house, but I can’t remember a home invasion, per se,” said Kristen who lives nearby. “Hopefully, it was just a random event and it doesn’t happen again.”

A spokesperson for the police department called the homeowner a “hero,” which he described as a term he doesn’t use lightly.

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