An 85-year-old woman in Bingham County, Idaho in the US fatally shot an armed man who threatened to kill her and broke into her home to steal valuable items.

Christine Jenneiahn claimed to have acted in self-defense to protect herself and her disabled son against the intruder, identified by authorities as Derek Condon, who allegedly entered her home on March 13 around 2 a.m., as reported by Global News.

Derek, who was purportedly carrying a 9-millimeter pistol and a flashlight, forced Christine from her bed and handcuffed her to a wooden chair inside the living room, according to police. He also demanded to know where valuables were kept.

While Derek was searching through the basement, Christine reportedly dragged the chair she was handcuffed to into her bedroom to retrieve a 357-magnum revolver hidden underneath her pillow.

Derek returned to the living room, aggravated upon discovering Jenneiahn’s son sleeping in the home, and threatened to kill them.

Christine drew her concealed revolver and fired twice.

Derek returned the gunfire, hitting Christine "multiple times" in her abdomen, leg, arm, and chest.

The intruder died of gunshot wounds, while Christine was able to call 911 after her son woke and handed her a phone.

According to the local outlet East Idaho News, Christine was transported to the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls for treatment. Subsequently, she was discharged and is currently recovering.

“This case presents an easy analysis of self-defense and justifiable homicide,” Bingham County prosecutor Ryan W. Jolley was quoted as saying in news reports

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