Christine Jenneiahn may be 85 years old but that doesn't mean she's an easy target. When a masked, armed man broke into her Idaho home threatening her and handcuffing her to a chair, she fought back, sustaining multiple gunshot wounds and ultimately killing the attacker.
AND she lived to tell the tale.
Elderly Woman Wakes Up to a Nightmare
Wooden chair and handcuffs used by armed assailant in home invasion in Idaho.
KSL News/Bingham County Sheriff's Office
It was 2 a.m. on March 13 when Christine woke up, shocked to find herself staring down the barrel of a loaded 9-mm pistol.
According to the Bingham County Sheriff's Office, the assailant, wearing a black ski mask and a camouflage jacket, broke in through a window.
After pistol-whipping her across the head, the man, later identified as 39-year-old Derek Condon, dragged her out of bed and down the hall to the living room where he handcuffed her to a wooden chair. With a gun to her head, Condon then demanded to know if there was anyone else in the house and where she kept the valuables.
Wanting to protect her adult son with disabilities who was sleeping downstairs, Christine lied and told him that she was alone.
Condon left her handcuffed in the living room while he went off in search of loot. Christine seized the opportunity. She lugged the chair to her bedroom, grabbed her .357 Magnum revolver from under her pillow, and then returned to the living room, hiding the gun in the couch cushions beside her.
Then, she waited.
At some point Condon returned, threatening to kill her. Terrified, Christine knew it was "now or never." She drew her gun and fired, striking him twice.
"Condon returned fire and emptied a 9 mm pistol into Christine striking her multiple times in her abdomen, leg, arm, and chest," states a report posted to the County Sheriff's Facebook page.
Condon crawled to the kitchen where he died of his wounds. Christine, still handcuffed to the chair and riddled with bullet holes, "fell to the floor." She remained there for 10 HOURS before her son finally came upstairs and gave her a phone so she could call 9-1-1.
Police arrived just after noon to find her son, David, standing in the doorway. Officers "provided life-saving measures on her" and rushed her to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls. She has since been released.
An Incredible Act of Bravery
The official incident report on a home invasion in Bingham County, Idaho.
Bingham County Sheriff's Office/Facebook
During their investigation, deputies discovered that Condon was suffering from mental health issues and PTSD from the time he served in the U.S. Marine Corps.
In an interview with police, Christine revealed that she didn't want to shoot Condon but she felt like she didn't have a choice. She feared for both her life and her son's life.
"I'm a very nice old lady but you can only push somebody so far."
Christine Jenneiahn via KSL News
As for the prosecuting attorney's office, they won't be pressing any charges.
"This case presents an easy analysis of self-defense and justifiable homicide. It also presents one of the most heroic acts of self-preservation I have heard of," Prosecuting Attorney Ryan W. Jolley wrote.
Summarizing the harrowing events he said, "He [Condon] had told Christine he would kill her multiple times. He had broken into her home in the middle of the night, handcuffed her to a chair, and struck her with his firearm. Her disabled son was downstairs in his room."
"That Christine survived this encounter is truly incredible. Her grit, determination, and will to live appear to be what saved her that night."
Prosecuting Attorney Ryan W. Jolley
Not to mention, never mess with Mama.
In the face of extreme danger, Christine didn't let her age or fear prevent her from saving her life and that of her son. She did what any mother would do...fiercely protect her child at all costs. Christine's heroic actions don't just speak to the power of self-preservation, they are a true testament to a mother’s love. And there is nothing in this world more powerful.
*Featured image contains photo by Anna Shvets and Rafael Classen rcphotostock.com
Why Did You Give Up On Your Dreams?
As I was browsing Reddit, I accidentally fell on an AskReddit post titled: « Why did you give up on your dream? » I was curious to see what the community had to say because I'm sure a fair amount of people have given up on their dreams at some point in their lives. Honestly, I learned a lot by reading what people posted, and I thought it would be interesting to share my thoughts on the subject. So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular answers.
Why did you give up on your dream?
It won't pay enough
Of course, everyone thinks about that. You need to put food on the table. Moreover, you want the latest smartphone, an amazing car, the best wines; you also want to eat out at least three times a week, etc. (For more on that topic check out: If this is success, please don't be successful). Most people think that their dreams won't pay enough, so they stop pursuing it. Although it seems logical, I still think it’s sad to give up on your dreams for more money. Passion and motivation are very much underrated. It is true that it takes more than just passion and motivation to achieve something, but with dedication and determination, I believe anyone can make their dreams a reality. And I sure think that in the times we are living, everybody can find a way to earn a living out of what they are passionate about.
I'm afraid of taking risks
Who’s not afraid of risk? But we all have to take some risks at some point. Also, the level of risk you feel you are taking has to be put into perspective. Think about your "safe" job as an example. So, you think a stable job is not risky? You might answer, " I know. Anybody can lose their job.” But let’s dig a little deeper. Do you have control over decisions the company makes? Do you have a say in the strategy for the company is pursuing? Even the position that you have right now might not exist in a few years? Now ask yourself, which is riskier? To not have any control over your job, or is it better when you are in charge of what happens? Chances are, in pursuing your dream, you are actually taking fewer risks by taking control of your own destiny.
My friends were giving me a hard time
Who cares about what people think? Most people won’t understand why you decide to pursue a dream. No one can, because they don’t have the same thoughts, feelings, determination and passion as you. It 's okay to feel misunderstood. Most successful people are thought to be a little crazy until they reach success. Don't accept to be bullied, but keep an open mind for constructive criticism. People that constructively criticize your approach might be sharing a different perspective that can be very valuable in helping you reach your dreams.
You can't just become a dog; you have to be born one.
That is where humans are different than other animals. We were not born with wings, but we still found a way to fly. We cannot breathe underwater, but we made oxygen masks so that we can dive underwater. We were born on Earth, but scientists are still dedicating their lives to find ways so that we can live on other planets. It's the surprising thing about us humans, we adapt, we build, and we find solutions. You don’t have to be a bird to fly; you just have to put dedication, hard work, and passion to make that plane!
Remember, there is no good excuse not to pursue your dreams. Start today, or at least, give yourself the chance to think about it.