HOUSTON -- A state representative shot a man suspected of stealing copper casings from his southeast Houston home on Sunday, officials told KPRC Local 2.

Houston police said State Rep. Borris Miles heard a noise when he was fixing a leak at his home under construction on MacGregor Way near Scott Street at about 7:30 p.m.

While investigating the noise, Miles found two men stealing the copper, police said.

"He came out and approached the two suspects, confronted them and at that time the suspects threw a knife at him," Officer Johanna Abad said. "Mr. Miles pulled out his weapon and shot him once."

One of the men was shot in the torso and treated at a nearby hospital. He was arrested and will face aggravated robbery and assault charges, police said.

"I was fearing for my life," Miles said. "I was fearing for my life."

The second man ran away and is being sought by police.

Miles, a former law enforcement officer, has a concealed handgun permit.

"I mean that's sad," Miles said. "You've got time and you've got money involved and you're violated."

Investigators said the men also broke into the home earlier in the day. Copper was also stolen from a home across the street from Miles' house, police said.

"I can't expect to have my own private HPD officer to sit here for the entire time," Miles said.

Police said Miles is not expected to face any charges.

Miles was elected to represent District 146 in November. He said he plans to push for tougher state laws to punish copper thieves.

"They are burglarizing houses of worship. They're burglarizing government buildings. They're even burglarizing fountains," Miles' spokesman Donald Fields said.

"This is a great indication that we need to have more economic opportunity for people who live in this community so they don't have to resort to robbing from each other," Miles said.