Loved ones say they've been trying to protect 22-year-old A'Naya Stancil from her 30-year-old ex-boyfriend for a while, but early Tuesday morning she was injured when he broke into her home and opened fire.
Her co-worker, 38-year-old Anthony David, was also shot while trying to protect her when he pulled a weapon and fired back at Terrance Kerr.
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All three were struck by gunfire in the home on Drypoint Lane in Cumberland County around 3:15 a.m.
Stancil and David were taken to a hospital for treatment; Kerr was more seriously injured. He was listed in critical condition.
Kerr has been charged with attempted murder -- among other charges.
Wanda Williams, Stancil's mother, told WRAL New she's been worried about Stancil for some time, and that this is a terrible case of domestic violence.
"We've asked him several times to leave her alone. And he's called me numerous times," she said. "He wanted to speak with her, and I wouldn't let him. So, he was saying I was controlling her life. No, I'm being a mother."
Williams is a protective mother, who had recently lost another daughter in a car accident.
Williams says Stancil had taken out a restraining order and that she was afraid to stay home alone, so she had David come home with her for protection.
"She was afraid for her life," she said.
Kerr used his key to get into the home – and that's when the shooting started.
"The next thing I got a text saying, 'I've been shot,'" said Williams. "I said, 'what?' and she said, 'He shot me and help!'"
Williams said she started calling her daughter, but couldn't get through.
Bullet holes can still be seen outside the home from where they broke through the outside wall from inside.
While Stancil is expected to be okay, she faces a long road to recovery. Her family has set up a GoFundMe to help cover expenses.