Northern Ireland's Health Minister Edwin Poots fired two shots in the air to warn off intruders at his home last month, it has emerged.
The PSNI is investigating the incident, which happened in the early hours of 6 June.
The 47-year-old was at home at Lisburn, Co Antrim, with his wife and four children when two intruders were spotted close to the house.
The two fled after Mr Poots shouted a warning and fired into the air.
A DUP spokesman said: "A legally-held shotgun was safely discharged into the air by Mr Poots from within his house to alert the intruders that their presence was known."
The spokesman said: "The police were then called by the family and are investigating the matter."
