UPDATE: Woman killed by Gwinnett homeowner in self-defense, police say

Investigators have determined that a woman found dead in a car outside a Dacula church was shot in self-defense by a nearby homeowner, police said Thursday.

Azahni Ellis, 27, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was discovered Wednesday morning with at least one gunshot wound inside a sedan, which was stopped at the entrance to Christ the King Church on Rabbit Hill Road. Officers were called to the area about 3 a.m. after a 911 caller reported gunshots at a home across the street.

Ellis died at the scene. According to Gwinnett police, she was invited to the home earlier in the evening by the homeowner.

“At some point, Ellis attempted to rob the homeowner and shot at him as he attempted to flee the residence,” Gwinnett police spokesman Cpl. Collin Flynn said in a news release.

She left and returned moments later, breaking a window near the front door in order to force her way inside, Flynn said.

“The homeowner shot Ellis as Ellis was coming through the front door,” he said. “The homeowner was not charged and the shooting has been determined to be committed in self-defense.”

Homicide detectives worked the case for hours Wednesday morning. Initially, they did not know if the woman was shot inside the house or if she was shot in her vehicle.

Flynn did not provide any further information Thursday about the relationship between Ellis and the homeowner, whose name was not released.

Credit: John Spink

Credit: John Spink

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