Authorities say it was about 2:30 p.m. that 80-year-old Joe Fleming was watching television in his living room of his row home in the 6600 block of Yocum Street in Southwest Philadelphia, when he heard a noise down in the basement.
"He gets up to go see what's going on. He unlocks the door. As he unlocks the door, a shot is fired from the opposite side of the door through the door, hits him in the stomach, another shot hits him in the leg," Lt. John Walker of the Philadelphia Police Department said.
Police believe the burglar got in through a basement sliding glass window.
Following the break-in shooting, they believe the gunman fled through the front door, but they haven't been able to find anybody who says they saw anything.
But some neighbors find it hard to believe that nobody saw a thing.
"I'm quite sure somebody saw it. Around my way, there's no way in the world that you can't see things, especially when you're supposed to look out for your elders," neighbor Tracey Nesmith said.
"I think maybe people don't want to come forward because they're scared. But that could be somebody else's grandfather or something, I would want to know," neighbor Angelina Blackman said.
"That could be my grandpop. That could be any of our grandpops. This is a very depressing move," neighbor Brianna Christopher said.
Joseph Fleming's wife and daughter were not home when he was attacked.
They are now by his side at the hospital.
Police are asking anyone who saw something to call 911.