The Halifax County Sheriff's Office does not intend to file charges against the victim of a Saturday home invasion who shot and killed one of the five people who entered his home.

Lynch

The sheriff's also today disclosed a fifth person was involved in the home invasion was arrested Wednesday.

Detective J. Puhak said the sheriff's office has based its decision to not file charges on North Carolina general statute — 14-51.1— which addresses force used against an intruder.

That statute says a lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence is justified in using any degree of force that the occupant reasonably believes is necessary, including deadly force, against an intruder to prevent a forcible entry into the home or residence or to terminate the intruder's unlawful entry if the occupant reasonably apprehends that the intruder may kill or inflict serious bodily harm to the occupant or others in the home or residence, or if the occupant reasonably believes that the intruder intends to commit a felony in the home or residence.

A lawful occupant within a home or other place of residence does not have a duty to retreat from an intruder in the circumstances described, the statute says.

Meanwhile, the sheriff's office reported today that a fifth person was allegedly involved in the case and was arrested Wednesday.

Martaveon Kewanty Lynch, 17, of the Rocky Mount and Battleboro areas faces charges of first degree burglary, conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, discharge a weapon into an occupied dwelling and contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile. He was jailed on $50,000 bond.

Lynch is the the third person to be arrested in the case after Jasmine Deshaunda Graham and Diamate Dayshaun Harrell turned themselves in Sunday. They all face the same charges as Lynch.

Now the sheriff's office continues to look for Marcus Manquell Bell, who is believed to frequent the Rocky Mount and Battleboro areas.

Puhak said Bell is to be considered armed and extremely dangerous. “If he is spotted, stop and call law enforcement immediately.”

Bell is from the Owens Drive area in Battleboro and faces the same charges as those who have been arrested in the case.

Puhak said the sheriff's office encourages Bell to turn himself in and anyone with information leading to his arrest may receive a monetary reward.

Marqiz Te'vonn Thomas, 17, was killed when he and four other people broke into a house on Highway 481 in the Enfield area.

Thomas, who was on a weekend pass from the Edgecombe Youth Development Center, was shot in the head with his own weapon, which was wrested from him during a struggle with the homeowner.

Thomas was being held in the youth center for a crime similar to what occurred Saturday morning.

The sheriff's office confirmed earlier this week the four suspects did fire back after their alleged accomplice was killed by the home owner. That is reflected in the shooting into an occupied dwelling charge. It is not clear who the ringleader was.

The homeowner heard footsteps on the porch and, looking through a peephole, saw the suspects, who kicked in the door.

A fight ensued and the homeowner was able to get Thomas' gun, a .38-caliber weapon, and shoot him in the head. The suspect died instantly.

The sheriff's office described the home invasion as a targeted crime and not a random act.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 252-583-4444 or the sheriff's office at 252-583-8201.