The 85-year-old woman was handcuffed to a wooden chair.
Despite that, she managed to shoot the masked burglar dead.
The prosecutor in Idaho describes the whole thing as “a heroic effort”, writes Sky News.
Christine Jenneiahn, 85, was at home with her disabled son in the US state of Idaho. Then Derek Condon, a masked burglar, broke into the home in the middle of the night and pointed a gun and flashlight at her, writes Sky News.
Derek Condon then handcuffed her to a wooden chair and asked where she kept her valuables. He was wearing a black ski mask and military jacket and threatened to kill Christine several times.
Dragged himself to the bedroom
The 85-year-old woman said she had two safes downstairs. While Derek Condon searched the house for valuables, Christine was able to drag herself to her bedroom while still handcuffed to the chair.
There she managed to get hold of her .357 Magnum and made her way back to the living room where she hid the gun between the armrest and a pillow.
When Derek Condon returned, he again threatened to kill her. Then Christine made the decision – it was now or never. She took out the gun and shot the burglar dead.
Prosecutor’s Tribute
Ryan Jolley, the prosecutor in the case, calls it “one of the most heroic acts of self-preservation ever.” He also believes that Christine Jenneiahn acted in self-defense.
– That Christine survived this meeting is truly incredible. Her determination and will to live seems to be what saved her that night, he says according to Sky News.