No Charges For Homeowner Who Shot Burglary Suspect

A Wilson man who allegedly shot and killed a suspected burglar at his house Tuesday morning will not face charges in the shooting death, authorities said.

At about 5:15 am, Wilson police received a call about a burglary in progress at an occupied home at 1103 Herring Ave.

On the way to the home, officers were told that the suspect in the burglary had been shot. Officers arrived and found a man in the driveway suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.

The home's resident, Gene Watson, told police that he had shot the man after he had broken into Watson's home.

Investigators say Elbert Lee Taylor, 49, broke into several of Watson's cars before he tried to break into Watson's house. When Taylor got inside, police say Watson shot him three or four times.

Taylor then managed to crawl out the same window he broke in through and stumbled to the driveway before collapsing.

Taylor was taken to Wilson Medical Center, where he later died as a result of those injuries.

Watson is known in Wilson for his work as Cocoa the Clown. His mother told WRAL that he was "torn to pieces" by what happened.

Investigators of the Wilson Police Department met with a Wilson County Assistant District Attorney Tuesday and presented information from the investigation.

The district attorney has determined that based on the facts presented from police, no charges will be filed against Watson at this time.

However, police said the investigation will continue and remain pending until final autopsy results are received.