Can i Shoot someone who is attacking my cat ?

I let my Cat out during the day sometimes and today i just happened to be looking outside and saw a horrible sight , i grabbed a bb gun and went outside . There was a man in my neighbors yard holding my cat by her tail . I ordered him to put my Cat down and get out of her yard ! My neighbor has no problem with my cat coming over to her house and play with her cats . she was not home at the time . I was so enraged i almost shot him ! Could i have done this ? Her cats are outside cats and mine just goes out sometimes for a few days outside . And the man that was attacking them lives down the road and doesn't like cats .