Home invasion turns deadly after 3 intruders break in, shoot man in Orange County

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. He 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.

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.

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.