An 85-year-old woman from Idaho, Christine Jenneiahn, has been celebrated as a hero after she defended her home and her disabled son from an intruder in Bingham County, according to People magazine.
Last month, Derek Condon broke into Jenneiahn’s home at 2 a.m. while she was asleep. Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley reported that Jenneiahn was awakened by Condon, wearing a military jacket and ski mask. He handcuffed her to a wooden chair in her living room after striking her in the head, as indicated by blood found on her pillow and floor.
Condon demanded to know where she kept her valuables and, after receiving her response, threatened her with a pistol to her head. He left her handcuffed in the living room to search the house after she mentioned two safes downstairs.
Seizing her opportunity, Jenneiahn retrieved her .357 magnum revolver hidden between the couch cushions. She shot Condon twice when he returned to the living room. Condon fired back with his 9mm pistol, hitting Jenneiahn multiple times. He then moved to the kitchen, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Jenneiahn, still handcuffed, was unable to move until her son found her the next morning, approximately 10 hours later, and handed her a phone to call 911. Deputies arrived at 12:17 p.m. and provided lifesaving measures.
Prosecutor Jolley praised Jenneiahn’s actions as heroic and indicative of her determination and will to survive. The incident was officially ruled a justifiable homicide by the Bingham County Sheriff’s Office, as stated in their Facebook announcement.
