A 12-year-old boy fatally shot a man to protect his grandmother when two intruders broke into his North Carolina home, authorities reported.
The incident occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. Saturday, when two masked men entered the home of 73-year-old Linda Ellis in Goldsboro, the WRAL news station reported.
The couple demanded money and shot Ellis in the leg, prompting the 12-year-old to open fire, police said.
“[The intruder] he just shot his grandmother … He would have shot her too, he would have killed me too, he would have killed us all, “the boy’s uncle, Randolph Bunn, told WTVD.
The shootings caused the intruders to flee, but a suspect, 19-year-old Khalil Herring, was found at a nearby intersection with a gunshot wound, police said.
He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, officials said.
Ellis, meanwhile, was hospitalized with life-threatening injuries, authorities said.
“Why would anyone come into your house and do it? It has to stop, ”Ellis’ great-granddaughter, Chiquita Coley, told WRAL.
No information was released about the second suspect, but authorities said the investigation is ongoing.
Charges are not expected to be filed against the 12-year-old boy, police said.