A home invasion in Goldsboro ended in tragedy after a 73-year-old woman was shot and one of the suspected intruders later died from gunshot wounds. Police responded to reports of a shooting around 1 a.m. near South William Street, where they found the elderly woman suffering from a gunshot wound to her leg. A short time later, officers located 19-year-old Khalil Herring with a gunshot wound nearby. Both were taken to the hospital, where Herring later died.

According to investigators, two masked suspects forced their way into the home and demanded money. During the robbery, the grandmother was shot in the leg. Authorities say her 12-year-old grandson then fired at the intruders in an apparent act of self-defense. Evidence identified Herring as one of the suspects who was struck while fleeing the scene.

Randolph Bunn, the woman’s son and the boy’s great-uncle, said the intruders rushed inside after the door was opened, with one of them pointing a gun and forcing him to the ground. He said the grandmother was standing in the kitchen when she was suddenly shot, leaving the family shocked and frightened by the violent attack.

Police said no charges are expected against the 12-year-old, whose actions are believed to have been taken in defense of his family. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the home invasion, while relatives say the boy’s quick response may have prevented an even greater tragedy.