85-year-old Idaho woman killed home intruder in 'heroic' act of self-defence

An elderly woman from Idaho killed an intruder in her home in a brave act of self-defence. The 85-year-old woman, named Christine Jenneiahn, acted in one of the “most heroic acts of self-preservation”, as described by Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley.

As per the case review by Jolley on the official Facebook account of Bingham County, the woman was attacked by an intruder, identified as Derek Condon at around 2:00 am (local time) on March 13. What followedwas described by the police officials as “truly incredible.”

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"Her grit, determination, and will to live appear to be what saved her that night,” said Jolley.

Jenneiahn told prosecutors she was asleep in her Bingham County home when she was awakened by an intruder who was wearing a jacket and black ski mask. He was pointing a gun and a flashlight at her. At the time of the incident, Jenneiahn’s disabled son was also there.

The case review further said Condon most likely hit Jenneiahn in the head while she was in bed, as police found blood on Jenneiahn’s pillow and bedroom floor.

Condon then handcuffed Jenneiahn and took her to the living room at gunpoint, according to the review. There he handcuffed her to a wooden chair and asked about her valuables. When she said she didn’t have much, he put his gun to her head.

According to the review, Jenneiahn told Condon she had two safes downstairs. He left her handcuffed in the living room as he looked through several rooms in search of some money.

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"At some point," the review says, "he discovered that Christine's son was also in the home and became angry at Christine for not telling him." Condon started to make threats that he wanted to kill Jenneiahn, according to the review.

While Condon was looking downstairs, Jenneiahn dragged her chair to which she was handcuffed into her bedroom and grabbed her .357 Magnum revolver from under her pillow, the review says.

In the living room, Jenneiahn hid the gun between the armrest and a cushion as she “waited to see what Condon did next.”

Jenneiahn told prosecutors that at some point when Condon returned to the living room after having rummaged through her home, he again threatened to kill her.

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"She ultimately made the decision that it was 'now or never' and drew her concealed 357 magnum and engaged Condon striking him with both her shots," the review says.

Condon also fired backmultiple rounds at Jenneiahn from a 9mm pistol in her abdomen, a leg, and her chest.

Jenneiahn, still handcuffed, fell over and remained on the floor for about 10 hours until her son came upstairs in the late morning and gave her a phone to call 911.

EastIdahoNews.com reported that Jenneiahn was taken to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

Based on Idaho's self-defence law, which states, "No person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting himself," Jolley ruled the killing justifiable.

(With inputs from agencies)