Woman Fights Off, Kills Intruder in Gwinnett Home

A Duluth woman shot and killed a man who had broken into her home during an early morning home invasion Wednesday.

Gwinnett County police said the incident occured about 6:30 a.m. when the attacker, a black male in his mid 20s, entered the home located in the 2800 block of East Mount Tabor Circle while the resident, a white female in her mid 40s or early 50s, was in the shower.

"She was exiting the shower when a black male wielding a knife entered her bathroom," said Cpl. Edwin Ritter. "There was a struggle, he forced her into the bedroom, where she was able to retrieve a pistol."

During the struggle the unidentified woman told her attacker, "Please don't hurt me, I've got money."

The woman was able to retrieve her .22-caliber pistol and shot her attacker.

Police said the man was shot multiple times and staggered out of the house where he collapsed. He was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.

The woman was transported to Duluth Medical Center and was treated for minor injuries, according to Ritter.

"It was apparently a justified use of deadly force. No charges are likely to be filed against the woman," said Ritter.

Neither the intruder nor the victim's identities are being released at this time pending an investigation.