Goldsboro, North Carolina - When two burglars broke in and shot a 73-year-old woman, her 12-year-old grandson reacted with incredibly fast instincts.

On Saturday night, two strangers broke into the home of 73-year-old Linda Ellis in North Carolina. In search of cash and other valuables, they found the woman and shot her, local TV station WRAL reported, citing police information.

Awakened by the gunshot, the woman's 12-year-old grandson, who happened to be staying with her that night, checked on her and saw the two strangers.

He found a gun, presumably belonging to Ellis, and used it to threaten the burglars.

Exactly how the situation developed from there is not yet clear, but the boy shot one of the burglars at least once. The two criminals then fled, but one, 19-year-old Khalil Herring, did not make it far.

Police officers found the young burglar, who succumbed to his serious injuries, lying on the side of the road just a few yards from the house. The second escaped.

Linda Ellis was treated at the hospital over the weekend, escaping with minor injuries, WRAL further reported.

The young man apparently survived his first shooting unharmed. His family is wouldn't reveal his identity, but is giving interviews on the incident.

Police are now searching for the second perpetrator.