Home Invasion Stopped by Orange County 11-Year-Old

An Orange County 11-year-old stopped a breaking-and-entering Friday morning by striking the intruder with a machete, according to law enforcement.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a release on Friday evening that a female knocked on the door of a home in Mebane just after 11 a.m. Friday. An 11-year-old boy was home alone when he saw a male standing outside of the home near a vehicle.

“At about that time, a second male broke a window on the other side of the residence and entered the home,” authorities said.

The suspect then gained possession of the homeowner’s pellet rifle and forced the child into a back bedroom closet, “instructing him to remain there.”

The child was able to escape the closet and “gain access to a machete” and then struck the suspect in the back of the head.

“The man retaliated by kicking the boy in the stomach,” according to the sheriff’s office.

The incident continued as the boy swung the machete again, before being kicked in the head, law enforcement officials said.

The suspect then “realized he was bleeding significantly from the machete strike,” according to the sheriff’s office, and the suspects fled the scene.

A patient, who matched the description provided by the juvenile, arrived at UNC Hospital in Hillsborough after the reported incident requesting treatment for “an injury to the head.”

“Not only did this youngster thwart the larceny attempt, he created blood evidence that very well may lead to a conviction in this case,” Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood said in a release. “This is very tough kid who kept his wits about him. At the same time, I want to reflect that this youngster, his family, and indeed this community, are very lucky this event did not have a tragic ending for the child.”

Authorities said 19-year-old Jataveon Dashawn Hall, of Monroe, will be served with warrants for breaking and entering, second-degree kidnapping, interfering with emergency communications and assault on a child under 12. Hall remains hospitalized for injuries sustained during the incident, as of 6:15 p.m. Friday. If he is released from the hospital over the weekend, he will be scheduled to appear in Orange County Court on Monday afternoon.

The investigation is ongoing. Officials said additional charges are pending against Hall and the other individuals involved.

Anyone with information is asked to call Investigator Jason Nazworth at (919) 245-2925.

Orange County 11-Year-Old Stops Home Invasion

On Air Now: 97.9 FM