77-year-old disabled veteran shot in face in his own home

A 77-year-old disabled veteran is recovering in the hospital after being shot in the face inside his own home in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

According to WGHP, police were called to the home shortly after 5 a.m. when the shooting was reported.

"We look outside of the door and there's just cop cars lined everywhere," Charles Anthony White, the victim's neighbor, told the station. "We just see like, a fire truck pull up, and cops pull up and we're just like, 'Oh this probably isn't good.'"

Police have not publicly identified the victim, but a reporter from WGHP spoke to him after his home was broken into in 2014. His back door was pried open and watches were stolen from his home.

The victim told the station at the time that he has been in a wheelchair or using crutches for nearly 20 years. He has lived in the home for 27 years.

"I've been shaking and nervous about it all day," the victim told WGHP three years ago.

After the shooting, the victim was transported to an area hospital. Police say he is stable and is recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.

"[He is] a great fellow, great person, just a great human being. He's always been there for me if I ever need to talk about something, I can talk to him about it," White told WGHP. "I just hope he makes the best recovery possible."

The Winston-Salem Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division is in the preliminary stages of an investigation.