Wayne Homeowner Kills Intruder

Dudley, N.C. — A Wayne County homeowner shot an killed one of three people who broke into his home early Friday, authorities said.

Three armed men broke into the home at 2546 Old Mount Olive Highway at about 12:30 a.m. while the family slept inside. The intruders held two adults and four children, ages 4, 5 and 8, at gunpoint and ransacked the house, authorities said.

During the robbery, one of the suspects fired a shot, prompting the man who lives in the house to grab a gun and shoot back, authorities said.

Antione Logan Chestnut, 19, of 109 Evelyn Circle in Dudley, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The other two intruders fled in a dark-colored vehicle, authorities said.

No one else was hurt in the incident.

A second subject in the case was arrested Friday evening. Kayloe Lemont Middleton, 25, of 1530 Indian Springs Road in Mount Olive, was charged with first-degree burglary and first-degree kidnapping.

Authorities declined to release the name of the family involved, citing safety reasons. It's unclear whether the family was targeted or it was a random crime, authorities said.

Clarette Sutton, who said she knew Chestnut, stopped by the family's house Friday afternoon to lend her support.

"I don't know what happened. All I know is it's a sad situation on both ends. Tragedy is always sad on both ends," Sutton said. "I feel sorry for the family that it happened to, and I just ask them to keep hope. Don't be afraid."

Authorities were searching for a third suspect in the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the Wayne County Sheriff's Office at 919-731-1482 or Crimestoppers at 919-735-2255.