85-Year-Old Idaho Woman Shoots Home Intruder Dead amid ‘Heroic Acts of Self-Preservation’

Christine Jenneiahn was asleep when a man broke into her home in the early hours of March 13 and placed her in handcuffs, according to authorities

An 85-year-old woman from Idaho is being praised as a hero for fighting off a home intruder who broke into her Bingham County home in March.

Christine Jenneiahn was sleeping in her bedroom when a man — identified by authorities as Derek Condon — broke into her property on March 13 at around 2 a.m. local time.

Her son David Jenneiahn, who is disabled, was also at home at the time.

According to an incident review by Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley on Monday, April 9, Jenneiahn was woken up by Condon, who was "dressed in a military jacket, black ski mask, and pointing a gun and flashlight at her."

"Condon then placed Christine in handcuffs and took her into the living room of her house," added the incident review. "Subsequent investigation indicates a strong likelihood that Condon struck Christine in the head as she lay in her bed, as there was blood on the pillow and floor in her room where she had been sleeping."

"She also reported he had hit her in the head at some point during the incident but was unsure of exactly when that took place," continued the review. "After taking Christine at gunpoint into the living room, Condon handcuffed her to a wooden chair. Condon then asked her where the valuables were kept in the home, and placed his pistol against her head after she told him she didn't have much. After telling Condon that there were two safes downstairs in the home he left her handcuffed in the living room."

The review then states that Condon went downstairs and searched multiple rooms in Jenneiahn's home. Through this, he discovered Jenneiahn's son and "became angry" that she had not told him of his presence and threatened "he would kill her."

Unknown to Condon, however, Jenneiahn had "retrieved her 357 magnum revolver from under her pillow" while he was downstairs in the property.

"She then went back into the living room and hid the revolver between the arm rest and cushion of a couch next to where she was seated and waited to see what Condon did next," the review added.

After he continued to rummage through her house, "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 stated.

"Condon returned fire and emptied a 9mm pistol into Christine striking her multiple times in her abdomen, leg, arm, and chest," it continued. "Condon then went into the adjoining kitchen where he died from his wounds. Christine fell to the floor still handcuffed in the living room where she remained for approximately 10 hours. She was ultimately able to call 911 after her son came upstairs later in the morning and gave her a phone so she could call 911. Deputies responded immediately at approximately 12:17 and provided lifesaving measures to her."

Police later discovered a screwdriver next to the door where Condon entered the home along with footprints leading from the direction of his nearby car. Condon was found to be carrying a lock pick set and a bag of stolen items from the residence.

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Prosecutor Jolley went on to call Jenneiahn's actions "one of the most heroic acts of self-preservation I have heard of," adding, "Her grit, determination, and will to live appear to be what saved her that night."

Jenneiahn's case was ruled as "justifiable homicide," the Bingham Country Sheriff's Office said in a statement on Facebook.

"Now that we are able to release the details, we wish to make it clear that our intention is not to defame the name of the suspect involved or make a tragedy for his family worse," added the sheriff's office. "We are simply releasing the facts of the case, and explaining that there was a victim involved that displayed heroism, fortitude, and a will to live that we’d be remiss not to share. We feel fortunate to know Christine and wish to thank her for her example at this time. We wish her well in her recovery and look forward to finding a way to honor her at a later date."

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