Police said a Houston woman shot her ex-husband after he broke into her home and started choking her. And it was her children who tried to protect their mother from the man.

Police said that Derek Martin broke into his ex-wife's home Thursday afternoon. They said that he started choking her in front of her four children when their 8-year-old daughter starting hitting her father and the couple's 5-year-old ran to get  a gun, KPRC reported.

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The child handed the firearm to the mother, who police said, shot Martin in the arm.

Martin was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released. He faces felony charges of assault and violating a protective order, KPRC reported.

Officials did not release the condition of Martin's former wife. The four children, aged 8, 5, 2 and 1, were not hurt, KPRC reported.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com