A 14 year old, visiting his grandmother, used a firearm to defend her against a burglar breaking into the house. In some states, he would be charged with a crime. But because he lives in a sane state, North Carolina, he is likely to be regarded as a hero. WBTV Charlotte reports:

Police have released the 911 call made during an alleged break-in that left a teen dead and his brother in jail on Tuesday.

The incident happened at a home in the 8600 block of Rolling Fields Road, off of Whispering Falls Ave. near Fairview Rd. in southeast Charlotte.

Police say Isai Robert Delcid, 18, was shot and killed by the resident's grandson. His brother, 22-year-old Carlos Delcid, was arrested later Tuesday night.

“They heard some noises, saw an individual at the back of the residence trying to come into their house,” said Lt. Eric Brady of Charlotte Mecklenburg Police.

The 911 call was released Wednesday. "Yeah somebody just broke in the house and we shot," the caller tells the dispatcher. "He's out there bleeding for God's sake. He broke our window, he was coming in."

The caller goes on to tell the dispatcher that another man pulled away in a gray SUV. But, she says, they are more worried about the man who is still outside the house that they believe is dead.

During the call, a young man can be heard in the background. "I said who is it and he wouldn't stop," the teen says. "“He broke my grandma's window so I shot three times.”

The young man has reason to be worried about the danger of a burglar:

This isn't the first time his grandson has dealt with violence. WBTV learned the 14-year-old lost his father during a robbery-homicide in 2008.

Wyant [the grandfather and owner of the house] said his son-in-law, Greg Hernandez, was shot to death at his business, Greg's Automotive on Independence Blvd. "He had the hood open in his car," Wyant said. "He was a mechanic. It was his garage. Somebody came in and shot him."

Wyant's grandson was eight years old at the time. Now, six years later, he was apparently trying to protect his grandmother and himself from intruders.

No, I don’t think the death penalty is appropriate for burglars. But anyone who enters a house that is occupied presents a clear and present danger to the inhabitants, and I believe they ought to be able to defend themselves with all means at hand.  And if home invasion burglaries turn out to be fatal for the perp, maybe others will think twice about the crime.

Hat tip: Instapundit