An 85-year-old Idaho mother recently found herself in a harrowing situation when a home intruder entered her residence in the early hours of the morning. The incident, which occurred on March 13, resulted in a tragic yet heroic turn of events that ultimately led to the intruder's demise.
The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Derek Condon, forcibly entered the home of Christine Jenneiahn, who resides with her disabled son. Condon, dressed in a military jacket and a black ski mask, brandished a gun and flashlight as he confronted Jenneiahn in her own home.
Condon proceeded to handcuff Jenneiahn and took her into the living room, where he further restrained her to a wooden chair at gunpoint. He demanded to know the whereabouts of valuables in the house, threatening Jenneiahn with his pistol when she claimed to have little of value.
After coercing information about safes in the house from Jenneiahn, Condon left her handcuffed in the living room while he searched the residence. At a critical moment, Jenneiahn made a split-second decision to defend herself, drawing her own firearm and firing two shots at Condon.
In response, Condon fired back, striking Jenneiahn multiple times in her abdomen, leg, arm, and chest. He then retreated to the kitchen, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Jenneiahn, left wounded and handcuffed, remained on the floor for approximately 10 hours until her son discovered her and assisted her in calling 911. Law enforcement arrived on the scene and administered life-saving measures to Jenneiahn.
Upon investigation, authorities found evidence of forced entry through a broken rear window, with a screwdriver near the point of entry. Condon's vehicle was located nearby, with footprints leading from the car to the residence.
Condon was found to be in possession of stolen items from the residence, along with tools such as a lock pick set and a handcuff key. Bingham County Prosecuting Attorney Ryan Jolley deemed Jenneiahn's actions as justifiable homicide, citing her remarkable courage and determination to survive.
Jolley indicated that had Condon survived, he would have faced charges including attempted murder, kidnapping, burglary, aggravated battery, and grand theft. The case serves as a poignant reminder of the lengths individuals may go to in defense of their own lives and safety.
