Home Intruder Shot Dead after 85-Year-Old Mom Grabs .357 Magnum, Saves Disabled Son

An Idaho crook thought he was in for an easy payday when he broke into the home of an 85-year-old mother and her disabled son.

However, underestimating the homeowner was the last mistake this home invader ever made.

On Wednesday, the Bingham County Prosecutor’s Office identified the 85-year-old woman as Christine Jenneiahn.

Mrs. Jenneiahn was threatened, hit, handcuffed to a chair, and shot multiple times by the thug who broke into her home.

The intruder was identified as 39-year-old Derek Ephriam Condon of Blackfoot.

During the home invasion, which happened on March 13, Mrs. Jenneiahn somehow managed to outsmart Condon, grab her .357 Magnum revolver, and shoot him dead.

New information about the case was revealed in the prosecutors’ review which was released on Wednesday.

It said the two were known to each other and it was not believed to be a random incident.

Early that morning, Jenneiahn was sleeping in her Bingham County home off 134 West 600 North, according to the review.

The only other person in her home was her adult disabled son, David Jenneiahn, who was in his room downstairs.

The home is out of the way from neighbors.

Christine Jenneiahn told investigators that she was woken up by an unknown man in her home.

He was later identified as Condon.

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Condon was dressed in a military jacket and a black ski mask.

He was pointing a gun and flashlight at Jenneiahn.

Prosecutors said Condon placed Jenneiahn in handcuffs and took her into her living room.

“Subsequent investigation indicates a strong likelihood that Condon struck Jenneiahn in the head as she lay in her bed,” the review said.

There was blood on the pillow and floor in her room where she had been sleeping.

Jenneiahn said he had hit her in the head at some point during the incident, but she was unsure of exactly when it happened.

After taking her at gunpoint into the living room, Condon handcuffed her to a wooden chair.

He asked her where the valuables were kept and put his pistol against her head after she told him she didn’t have much, prosecutors said.

She told Condon that there were two safes downstairs in the home.

He left Jenneiahn handcuffed in the living room.

He went downstairs multiple times and rummaged through several rooms.

Eventually, Condon discovered that Jenneiahn’s son was in the home and got angry at her for not telling him.

He made multiple threats and told her that he “would kill her,” the review revealed.

When Condon went downstairs again at some point, Jenneiahn dragged the chair she was handcuffed to into her bedroom and got her .357 Magnum revolver, which was under her pillow.

She then went back into the living room and “hid the revolver” between the armrest and cushion of a couch next to where she was sitting while she waited to see what Condon did next, the prosecutors’ review detailed.

“Her memory of exactly what happened next remains somewhat unclear,” according to the review.

She told investigators that at some point, Condon came back into the living room and threatened to kill her as he continued to burglarize her home.

Jenneiahn ultimately made the decision that it was “now or never.”

She drew her gun and “engaged Condon, striking him with both her shots.”

Officials said she shot him in the area of his chest.

Condon returned fire and emptied a 9mm pistol, hitting her multiple times in her abdomen, leg, arm, and chest.

Condon went into the kitchen, where he died from his wounds.

Jenneiahn fell to the floor, still handcuffed, in the living room, where she remained for about 10 hours, the review said.

She was ultimately able to call 911 after her son came upstairs later in the morning and gave her a phone.

Deputies responded immediately at 12:17 p.m. and provided lifesaving measures.

She was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls.

Investigation revealed there was a broken window in the back of her home and a screwdriver was found next to the door where Condon came inside.

Additionally, Condon’s car was found near Jenneiahn’s home with one set of footprints leading from the car in that direction, the review said.

When investigators searched Condon’s body, they found he had a lock pick set, his car key, a handcuff key, and a bag that had items he had stolen.

The law in Idaho regarding self-defense is clear, Jolley wrote:

“No person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting himself …”

He found that an individual acting in self-defense is not required to “wait until he or she ascertains whether the danger is apparent or real.”

“This case presents an easy analysis of self-defense and justifiable homicide,” Jolley wrote.

“It also presents one of the most heroic acts of self-preservation I have heard of.

“Any reasonable person would believe it necessary to defend themselves or their disabled child under such circumstances.”

He said the fact that Jenneiahn survived the encounter is “truly incredible.”

Jolley said that her grit, determination, and will to live appeared to be what saved her that night.

“Had Derek Condon survived, I would be charging him with multiple felonies, including attempted murder, kidnapping, burglary, aggravated battery, and grand theft,” Jolley added in his review.

In a post on social media, The Bingham County Sheriff’s Office said:

“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.

“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.”

The sheriff’s office said its staff feels fortunate to know Jenneiahn and looks forward to finding a way to honor her at a later date.

Local news outlets confirmed that Jenneiahn has been released from EIRMC and is recovering.

According to an incident review from Bingham County Prosecutor Ryan Jolley, Condon’s death has been ruled as “justifiable homicide” based on information contained in reports, video, photographs, search warrants, and witness statements.

Thankfully, Mrs. Jenneiahn knew her Second Amendment rights and was ready and willing to exercise them.

READ MORE – Thug Tries to Rob Gun Store with a Hammer, Gets Fatally Schooled by Armed Owner

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