James R. Dickson isnt the type of man who would slam a door on anyone, but doing that Sunday just may have saved his life. Dickson and his wife, Eleanore, were alone at their home in the 600 block of Wren Road around 10:25 p.m. Sunday when his back doorbell rang. When he looked out the window, Dickson didnt see anyone but opened the door to make sure. Thats when he saw the gun. Just feet away and crouched beside the porch swing, a short man wearing a black trench coat, mask and brimmed hat pointed a long-barreled handgun at Dickson. The man told Dickson to put his hands in the air or be killed, he said. In a split second, Dickson instinctively slammed the door, locked it and headed for the phone and his gun. Sometimes you do things automatic, a relieved but shaken Dickson said from his porch swing Monday. He just kind of raised up and pointed it at me. I could tell he was scared. Dickson and his wife werent hurt during the incident, which Warren County Sheriffs Department and Kentucky State Police are investigating. The gunman believed to be about 5-foot-2 hasnt been found. Dickson said his house may have been targeted because it is older than many around it and the gunman may have hoped to prey on an older couple. It unnerved me, he said. I didnt sleep last night. I wont sleep tonight. The incident caught Dickson off guard and also surprised neighbors, whom Dickson called to warn shortly after. Wren Road resident Fint Potter said he was surprised but not alarmed by the incident. Ive been here 40 years; Ive never heard about anything like that, Potter said. Im just glad he didnt hurt no one. State police Sgt. Steve Slone said he was impressed with Dicksons quick thinking, which thwarted the gunmans attempts. He thought real quick on his feet, Slone said. Homeowners should be wary of opening or unlocking their doors for any late-night visitors especially in semi-rural areas such as Wren Road, in the Rich Pond-Rockfield area, Slone said. Definitely dont open the door unless you know for a fact who it is, he said. State police also are investigating a home invasion that occurred Aug. 8 at Larry Moreheads home in the 2400 block of Glen Lily Road. Morehead told investigators that two men in black entered his unlocked home around 10:30 p.m., bound him and fled with his wallet, cellular phone and credit cards. Slone said they are looking to see if there are any similarities in the two incidents, though none have been found so far.