DA: No charges filed against Knightdale woman who shot intruder accused of stealing 10 bras

Connie Wells, 54, shot Deondrea Branch at her CPA firm on Sept. 18 after he allegedly stole 10 bras from a nearby Walmart.

Police were called to the Walmart at 7106 Knightdale Blvd. for a reported larceny when Branch, 24, fled from the store on foot. Officers chased him into an office building at 7048 Knightdale Blvd.

Surveillance footage from the building showed that while inside the building, Branch continued to evade police and broke into an office suite by breaking through a locked door.

Authorities said Wells was alone inside the office suite when she heard someone banging on the door. She attempted to dial 911, but could not get the call to connect, so she grabbed her revolver.

She then saw Branch moving toward her doorway, and he continued to get closer despite her yelling at him to stop, authorities said.

Wells shot Branch one time, striking him in the neck. Wells has a concealed handgun permit, authorities said.

"It is a tragedy any time anyone is seriously injured. However, Deondrea Branch committed a crime when he broke into her closed and locked office, kicking down a 150-pound solid core door in the process," attorney Damon Chetson said on behalf of Wells. "Mr. Branch's decisions led to a traumatic outcome for him and for Connie Wells. She will never feel entirely safe in her office again."