An intruder killed a 12-year-old girl in her Moore County home Friday, authorities said.

Emily Elizabeth Haddock was staying home from school sick and was by herself when someone broke into the home at 6988 Marks Road, outside of Vass, authorities said.

The girl's grandfather stopped by the house about 1:30 p.m. Friday to check on her when he noticed the door had been forced open, according to officials. He found her body on the floor and called 911.

Authorities declined to say how the girl was killed but described the inside of the house as "a brutal scene."

Detectives speculated the young girl was killed during a home robbery gone wrong.

There were no suspects in the case Friday evening, and authorities were offering a reward for information leading to an arrest.

Those who knew Emily described her as a “ball of sunshine.”

“She just added life to wherever she was. It is just a tragedy that she’s gone,” said Michael Sowers, the Haddock family’s pastor.

Emily's family, including her mom, dad and older brother, were in a state of disbelief, according to Sowers.

“They’re just heartbroken and shocked,” he said. “There are just no words you can put to it.”

Investigators have not been able to determine a motive for the killing, but they speculated that the person was breaking into the house to steal something and didn’t anticipate anyone being there.

Investigators spent the day, and most of the night, collecting evidence. The child's body was sent to Chapel Hill for an autopsy, and preliminary results are expected to be completed Saturday.

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Another arrest has been made in the shooting death of a 12-year-old girl.

The Moore County Sheriff’s Office said they arrested Ryan Jermar White, 18, of 332 Deerview Road, Sanford. Officials believe he was allegedly connected to the crime. He is charged with first-degree murder and breaking and entering.

Perry Ross Schiro, 19, of Cameron, was also arrested recently and charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of breaking and entering in the Sept. 21 death of Emily Haddock.

Also arrested were Van Roger Smith, Jr., 16, Sherrod Nicholas Harrison, 19, and Michael Graham Currie, 18, all of Cameron. They have also been charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of breaking and entering in the death Haddock.

All suspects are being held at the Moore County Detention Center without bond.

Haddock had stayed home from school with strep throat when the intruders broke in. According to investigators, Emily was shot multiple times with a .22-caliber handgun. Police say they have found the gun in the car Schiro was driving.

Souce