Woman shoots at intruders in Elm City home

Chris Griffin said his wife, who had stayed home sick from work, heard a noise around 11 a.m. and then saw two men outside her house. When she heard them start kicking in the back door, she hid in the bedroom closet with a cellphone and a pistol.

The men ransacked the house, and when they opened the closet door, she fired at them, Griffin said. One man was struck, authorities said. 

The men fled, and neighbor Wayne Crumpler said he heard them yelling for help.

"I heard somebody out at the road. He was hollering, 'Help me,' waving his arms, jumping up and down trying to stop traffic," Crumpler said. "There was another guy in the background. I heard him hollering, 'Help me. I've been shot in the chest. I'm dying.'" 

The wounded man then started toward Crumpler's house.

"He started in this direction. I stepped inside and got my revolver," he said. "I told him to hold it."

The man then ran into the woods, Crumpler said.

Two suspects were taken into custody after the Wilson County Sheriff's Office searched the area. 

Michael Daquarius Bynum, 16, of 1618 Branch St. in Rocky Mount, was charged with breaking and entering and possession of marijuana and placed in the Wilson County jail under a $25,000 bond.

Christopher Devonte Joseph, of 522 Western Ave. in Rocky Mount, will face the same charges once he is released from a local hospital, where he was listed in stable condition Friday afternoon.

Authorities found electronics and other household items in the suspects' car. They are coordinating with local law enforcement agencies to see if the men might be involved in other break-ins in the area. 

The homeowner will not face any charges. Griffin said his wife was very shaken by the ordeal.

Crumpler said he was glad she was able to defend herself.

"She was lucky she knew how to use a handgun and lucky she had it. Because If she hadn't, we might be going to a funeral," he said. "I'm proud of her."