A North Carolina grandfather is in serious condition after engaging in a shootout with three suspects who invaded his home and attempted to rape his 19-year-old granddaughter.
The incident occurred last Monday night in Lumberton when a stranger knocked on the door of 67-year-old Kenneth Byrd, claiming he was having mechanical problems and needed some water. Two other men, dressed in black and wearing ski masks, rushed the home and demanded money.
WCBD-TV News reports the suspects held Byrd and his wife at gunpoint while they were ordered to open a safe. Officials say the men also tried to rape the man’s granddaughter.
Byrd managed to grab a gun and shot all three suspects. Deputies says the men returned fire and Byrd was hit several times.
The suspects fled the scene with Byrd’s gold Cadillac, yet two of the men showed up at McLeod Hospital in Dillon, South Carolina with gunshot wounds. The third suspect, 20-year-old Jamie Lee Faison, was found dead in the stolen vehicle.
Byrd was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and was later airlifted to another.
A relative of Byrd wrote on Facebook: “He is out of surgery but is still critical in ICU!! Thanks everyone for all your prayers just keep them coming!!! But the intruders have been caught!!!” Byrd is said to be in serious condition.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
The surviving suspects, 28-year-old Brandon Stephens and 17-year-old Jamar Hawkins, have been charged with burglary, first degree sexual offense and kidnapping, among other charges, and their bond was set at $1 million each. Officials say the suspects were believed to have committed other home invasions in the area.