[Jen-from-IL]

I am really no expert here but my view is this: your actions caused the criminal to run and not perpetrate his criminal activity. Calling the police after the incident happened and providing whatever information you have available is better than nothing. Perhaps this criminal has been doing the same thing to other houses in the neighborhood. What matters most is that nobody in your family was hurt. I think you did the right thing. You did not have to fire a shot but did show that you were armed and ready to do so if the need arose. Another cowardly thug that thankfully knew better than to pursue his criminal activity (at least at that moment) in the face of potential harm to himself.