12-year-old child shoots and kills home intruder who shot 73-year-old woman

The armed intruders attempted to rob Ellis, and Khalil Herring is suspected to have been the one who shot Ellis. The 12-year-old, who lives with Ellis, defended himself and Ellis with a firearm, at which time the suspects fled, according to local news.

A police statement read "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 later transported to Wayne UNC Health Care for treatment of the non-life threatening gunshot wound.

Herring, who is suspected to have shot Ellis, died from his injuries. Police found Herring nearby at an intersection. He had fled the scene but apparently collapsed as a result of his injuries.

In the statement, officials wrote that "Preliminary evidence suggest Khalil Herring was one of the two masked intruders and was shot during the robbery."

The Goldsboro Police Department does not expect to file charges against the 12-year-old that fired who shot Herring in self-defense.

A great niece of Ellis', Chiquita Coley Ellis, said in reaction to the incident, "My phone was constantly ringing, and ringing and ringing. I just couldn't believe she been shot because she's a good person."

“Why would somebody come into her house and do this? It’s got to stop," Ellis said in shock. "I don’t know what they’re thinking around here in Goldsboro, but it's got to stop."

The investigation is ongoing.