Update
As of last evening (June 2) sources close to Richard, tell BBS  he continues to be in stable condtion at Duke University hospital but has not yet had surgery to address the injuries he suffered during the home invasion.
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A masked man armed with an AK-47 assault rifle was shot through the head and killed as he allegedly sought to break in on a Granville County homeowner, who was injured in a rapid exchange of gunfire early Tuesday, Granville County Sheriff Brindell B. Wilkins Jr. said.

Dead is suspected burglar Clayton “Clay” Michael Ellington, 29, of 4509 Hwy. 15 South in Oxford. The homeowner, Richard Chapel, 56, of Dove Road near Creedmore was hit in the upper right side of his chest with one round fired from the assault weapon, the sheriff said.

Chapel was in stable condition late Tuesday at the Duke University hospital where he was taken after the shooting.

The incident began when Chapel awoke to what the Granville County sheriff described as “a racket at his back door.” The homeowner took a 38-caliber revolver and went to investigate, when he then heard the noise at his front door.

“When he went to the front door, it was forced in on him and the intruder started shooting,” Wilkins said, “and, of course, he returned fire.”

The sheriff said from six to eight shots were exchanged during the brief volley of gunfire.

Ellington, who was wearing a mask and gloves, died at the scene, the sheriff said.

The would-be burglar’s girlfriend was waiting in a Jeep and is apt to face charges as an accomplice, the sheriff added.

Ellington was an equipment operator with an area grading and paving company and leaves behind a young son.

Wilkins said the shooting remains under investigation.

Read more: The Daily Dispatch – Granville man shoots kills armed intruder