10-year-old Wash. Boy Defends Mom With BB Gun (VIDEO)

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -- Police in Bellingham, Wash., say a 10-year-old boy defended his mother from an attacker by shooting him in the face with a BB rifle as many as four times.

Paul R. Newman, the man accused of the attack, rents a room in the woman's home and came home drunk and angry Tuesday morning. Police say he kicked in a bedroom door and started choking the woman, according to Associated Press.

Officers say the boy hit the attacker with a board and then shot him in the face with the pump-action BB rifle as he grappled with the woman.

The woman and boy were able to flee to a neighbor's home and call for help.

Newman was treated at a hospital and arrested for investigation of assault and making death threats.

The victim, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, was taken to an area hospital for treatment, according to KOMOnews.com.