GOLDSBORO, North Carolina (PNN) - February 14, 2021 - A North Carolina man died on Saturday after he broke into the home of a 73-year-old woman and was fatally shot by her 12-year-old grandson who was trying to defend her.

Two masked robbers entered the home of Linda Ellis in Goldsboro at around 1:00 am on Saturday, where they demanded money and shot the grandmother in the leg.

Ellis’ grandson fired back at the two intruders in self-defense and they fled.

Khalil Herring, 19, was later found at an intersection a half block from the apartment.

He was taken to Wayne UNC Health Care where he later died of his injuries.

Terrorist pig thug cops say they found evidence that Herring was one of the two masked men in the apartment.

“Preliminary evidence suggests Khalil Herring was one of the two masked intruders and was shot during the robbery,” officials said in a statement. “A 12-year-old juvenile occupant of the residence shot at the suspects with a firearm in self-defense, causing them to flee the area.”

Ellis was also taken to the hospital where her family says she is in good condition and expected to be released on Monday.

“They came in the house, I opened the door, I opened it, and they came in there,” said Randolph Bunn, who is Ellis’ son and the boy’s grand-uncle. “One guy had a gun. They just put me down on the ground. [Ellis] was in the kitchen, I don’t know why they shot her.”

“[The intruder] just shot his grandma. He would have shot him too, he would’ve shot me too, he would’ve killed us all,” Bunn added of the 12-year-old boy’s actions.

Ellis’ great niece Chiquita Coley added that she couldn't believe it when she received a call about the attempted robbery.

“My phone was constantly ringing and ringing and ringing,” Coley said. “I just couldn’t believe she’d been shot because she's a good person.”

“Why would somebody come into her house and do this? It’s got to stop,” she continued, adding that her aunt was much loved in the community. “I don’t know what they’re thinking around here in Goldsboro, but it’s got to stop.”

Charges are not expected to be brought against the 12-year-old, terrorist pig thug cops say, but the investigation is ongoing.

Coley said that the young boy and the rest of the family are “holding it together”.

Terrorist pig thug cops say they have yet to make any other arrests regarding the second suspect in the home invasion.