An early-morning home invasion in western Orange County led to one resident’s fatal shooting on Sunday.
A release from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said its deputies arrived to a call from a residence off U.S. Highway 70 near the intersection with Buckhorn Road around 12:40 a.m. Upon arrival, they found one of its residents shot and two other residents who said they had been held at gunpoint by three armed intruders who broke into the home. The residents of the home described them as men wearing masks and all black clothing, according to investigators.
During the exchange, the home invaders demanded money. One resident — later identified as 58-year-old Jerry Lee Driggers — then fired a shotgun at the trio of men and struck one, according to the sheriff’s office. One of the suspects then returned fire, which struck and injured Driggers. The other residents of the home were not harmed during the exchange.
The sheriff’s office’s release said its deputies and emergency medical responders provided aid and transported the injured Driggers to Duke University Hospital, where he died during surgery. In an update shared Sunday afternoon, the sheriff’s office asked the public to be respectful of the family as they process their grief.
The intersection of U.S. Highway 70 and Buckhorn Road in western Orange County, which is southeast of Mebane city limits. According to the sheriff’s office, the home invasion took place at a residence near this intersection. (Photo via Google Maps.)
“Our condolences go out to all who knew and loved Mr. Driggers,” said Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood. “We are asking for privacy for his family as they process this terrible crime and the loss of their loved one.”
All three intruders fled after the exchange of gunfire, but the sheriff’s office said the injured suspect was found nearby. 28-year-old Clarence Brandon Hayes of Durham was found in the parking lot of a business near the residence with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, according to the release. Orange County investigators said Hayes underwent surgery and continues to be hospitalized, as of Sunday afternoon’s update.
Investigators took out the following charges against Hayes: first degree murder, first degree burglary, first degree kidnapping, felony conspiracy, and injury to real property. Blackwood said Sunday the incident is expected to be isolated and there is “no reason to believe the other perpetrators are still in the immediate area.”
A K9 track at the residence off U.S. Highway 70 indicated the two uninjured intruders left the scene in a vehicle, according to the sheriff’s office. The release encouraged anyone who saw or heard anything near the intersection of Highway 70 and Buckhorn Road between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. on Sunday to call lead investigator Dylan Hendricks. He can be reached at 919-245-2951.
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated from its original version to reflect the name of the victim and charges against Hayes.
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