A woman found shot to death in a car outside a church in Dacula, Georgia, early Wednesday was killed in self-defense after trying to rob a homeowner, Gwinnett County police said Thursday.

Officers called to the home at around 3 a.m. for shots fired found Azahni Ellis, 27, in her car, which stopped at the entrance to Christ the King Church, across the street from the home, as CrimeOnline previously reported.

Police said the homeowner, who was not identified, had invited Ellis to his house earlier in the evening, but at some point she attempted to rob him, even shooting at him “as he attempted to flee the residence.”

How do you protect your children from predators? Join Nancy Grace and a team of world-class experts for the online course ‘Justice Nation: Crime Stops Here’.

Ellis left, police said, but tried to re-enter the house by breaking a window next to the front door. The homeowner shot her as she entered through the door.

Police did not explain how Ellis and the homeowner knew one another or how she came to be in the car across the street. They did not say whether they found the gun she allegedly used to shoot at the homeowner, if he legally owned the gun he used to shoot her, or how she ended up outside after shooting at the homeowner while he was trying to flee the house.

But, they said, the homeowner was not charged once they determined the shooting to be self-defense.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast:

Join Nancy Grace for her new online video series designed to help you protect what you love most – your children.

[Featured image: Gwinnett County Police]