Two Charged After Man Shot in Graham Home Invasion
When I first read about the Graham home invasion, it hit me how quickly an ordinary night can turn into a nightmare.
Just after 11 p.m. on May 9, police rushed to the 200 block of Walker Avenue after a report of shots fired inside a home. Inside, they found a family — small children, their mother, and a man who had been shot multiple times. He was rushed to the hospital in serious condition.
It’s the kind of scene you hope never plays out in your own neighborhood: kids huddled in fear, a parent fighting for their life, and officers piecing together what happened in the middle of the night.
If something like this happened near you, would your family know what to do?
Suspects and the Charges They Face
When I dug into the official police updates, one thing stood out: the charges aren’t just serious — they’re the kind that can change someone’s life forever.
According to WXII12 News, police arrested Jaylen Deshaw-Matthew Sawyer, 25, from High Point. He’s facing two counts of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, attempted common law robbery, firing into an occupied home, and conspiracy charges for both burglary and robbery.
The second suspect, Loren Michelle Penny, also 25 from High Point, is accused of helping and hiding what happened. She’s charged with two counts of aiding and abetting, five counts of accessory after the fact, aiding and abetting armed robbery, and the same conspiracy charges as Sawyer.
Reading through that list, I can’t help but think — each one of these charges carries weight. If you’ve ever followed a criminal case, you know the courtroom battles ahead will be intense.
From That Night to the Arrests: The Timeline

I always wonder how police connect the dots in a case like this. One night, there’s chaos. Weeks later, the names and faces of suspects are suddenly public.
MyFOX8 reported that this investigation stretched from May 9 — the night of the shooting — all the way to the Monday when police finally made the arrests public. That’s three months of gathering evidence, running leads, and, most likely, waiting for the right moment to move in.
It’s a reminder: solving violent crimes isn’t about rushing. It’s about being sure, so when charges are filed, they stick. And if you’ve ever wondered why police seem “quiet” after a big event, it’s usually because the real work is happening behind the scenes.
Similar lengthy investigations have unfolded in other states too — like the Anderson County home robbery case where multiple suspects were tracked down after weeks of police work.
What These Charges Actually Mean for the Case
Legal terms like “attempted first-degree murder” or “accessory after the fact” sound like something out of a TV show. But in North Carolina, these aren’t just dramatic phrases — they come with very real, long sentences.
For example, attempted first-degree murder can mean decades in prison if convicted. Burglary charges, especially first-degree, are also high-level felonies that can stack onto a sentence. Add conspiracy and firearms charges, and the stakes go up even more.
If you were sitting on a jury, understanding these charges would help you see why prosecutors file so many counts. Each one is a separate thread in the case — and if one snaps, the others might still hold.
How the Community Feels After a Night Like This
When something like this happens, it doesn’t just hit one family. It shakes the whole neighborhood.
If you live in a small city like Graham, you know how quickly word spreads. Parents start double-checking locks. Neighbors keep an extra eye out. Some people might even consider moving.
I’ve seen communities bounce back from crime, but it takes time — and trust. And if you’ve ever felt that knot in your stomach after hearing sirens near your street, you know exactly why people here are on edge.
What’s your take on how a neighborhood should respond after an incident like this? Share your thoughts in the comments — I’d love to hear from you.
Are Home Invasions Rising in North Carolina?
Here’s where it gets uncomfortable: cases like this aren’t as rare as you might hope. Recent state crime data shows that violent home break-ins, while not the majority of burglaries, still happen enough to worry families.
Experts point out that these aren’t random — many involve people who know the victims, or at least know the house. That’s why police and safety advocates keep stressing the basics: secure your doors, light your property, and don’t ignore neighborhood alerts.
If you’ve ever brushed off those safety tips thinking, “It won’t happen here,” stories like this are proof that it can.
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What’s Next in This Case

Right now, the big question is: when will this go to court? Police say the investigation is still open, which means more details — or even more charges — could come out before trial.
If you’ve ever followed a case this serious, you know the first court dates are just the beginning. There’ll be hearings, motions, and months of back-and-forth before a jury ever hears the story.
And if you live in Graham or nearby, this isn’t just news — it’s a case that could shape how your community talks about safety for years.
We’ve seen similar high-stakes felony charges in other cases, like the St. Matthews home invasion and abduction incident, where multiple charges were filed to strengthen the prosecution’s case.
Safety Tips Every Family Should Act On Now
I’m not saying you can prevent every crime — you can’t. But you can make your home a harder target.
Start with simple things:
- Keep doors and windows locked, even during the day.
- Install motion lights outside.
- Use cameras or video doorbells — even fake ones can make someone think twice.
- Talk with your neighbors and share contact info for emergencies.
These aren’t just “nice-to-haves.” They’re the kind of habits that could buy you and your family precious seconds if something ever happens.
In some cases, these invasions have ended in tragedy — like the Rockingham County home invasion where both a resident and the intruder lost their lives.
Stay Informed & Stay Safe
Stories like this aren’t just headlines — they’re reminders. What happened on Walker Avenue could happen anywhere, and the best defense is being aware.
Follow your local police updates, join a neighborhood watch, and don’t ignore small signs that something feels “off” near your home.
Now I’ll ask you — if someone tried to break into your home tonight, would you be ready?
For more real-life crime reports and safety advice, explore our Home Security section.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on publicly available police reports and news sources. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Details may change as the investigation continues.