Mebane man killed in home invasion; man charged with murder, investigators searching for 2 other suspects
A man died early Sunday morning after three armed intruders broke into his home and demanded money.
At approximately 12:40 a.m., deputies arrived at the home on Highway 70 near the Buckhorn Road intersection, where they found the victim and two other residents inside.
Deputies said three armed men broke into the home. The resident fired a shotgun at the men, striking one of them. Someone in the group returned fire, hitting the resident. The victim, later identified as Jerry Lee Driggers, 58, of Mebane, was taken to Duke University Hospital, where he later died during surgery.
The other residents of the home reported being held at gunpoint, but they were not physically harmed.
All three intruders fled the house after the exchange of gunfire.
Deputies located Clarence Brandon Hayes, 28, of Durham, outside in the parking lot of a business near the residence. He had a gunshot wound to the abdomen. He underwent surgery at a nearby hospital. Hayes is still hospitalized.
Hayes is charged with the following crimes:
- First-degree murder
- First-degree burglary
- First-degree kidnapping
- Felony conspiracy
- Injury to real property
Investigators are working to determine the identity of two other men who broke into the residence with Hayes, demanding money. A K-9 track suggested the two uninjured intruders left the scene in a vehicle. The residents of the home described them as men wearing masks and all black clothing.
"Our condolences go out to all who knew and loved Mr. Driggers," Sheriff Charles Blackwood said. "We are asking for privacy for his family as they process this terrible crime and the loss of their loved one.
"At this time, we think this crime was an isolated incident and we have no reason to believe the other perpetrators are still in the immediate area. We will continue to investigate, seeking to determine their identities and take them into custody."
Dylan Hendricks is the lead investigator. If you saw or heard anything near the intersection of Highway 70 and Buckhorn Road between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m., please call him at 919-245-2951.
