Law Enforcement
Grandmother shot burglar who broke into her home and assaulted her partner
A prosecutor will have to decide whether the 74-year-old woman is charged with the murder of one of the criminals, or whether it was a case of self-defense
August 19, 2022 3:12pm
Updated: September 17, 2022 2:48pm
A 74-year-old woman shot two assailants who broke into her home early Wednesday morning in Córdoba, Argentina.
The elderly woman and her partner became aware of the attempted robbery when they heard strange sounds in the house. Immediately, the 69-year-old man went out into the yard and saw the burglars, according to local media reports.
When he tried to return inside his house, one of the men held the elderly man down and beat him to prevent him from warning anyone. However, the man's wife, a retired lawyer, took a .38-caliber revolver and, when she came upon the criminals in their dining room, shot them both, reported Clarín.
"She fired two shots, one of which hit one of the criminals. The other one fled. When the police arrived on the scene, they found that one of them had died," said inspector commissioner Renato Paneta to a local media quoted by El Comercio.
The robber, a reputed career criminal with a long criminal record was shot in the head.
The husband was subsequently treated for the blows he received, although he did not need to be taken to hospital, the newspaper added.
Apparently, the woman used to practice shooting when she was young. Paneta confirmed to Clarín that the weapon the wife used is legally registered.
In the next few hours, a prosecutor will have to decide whether the old woman is charged for homicide or whether it was a case of legitimate self-defense. For the time being, the woman was released.
Robberies with force in Cordoba have doubled during 2022. In total, 150 crimes of this type are recorded in homes, 114.3% more than in the first half of 2021, according to data from the Argentine Ministry of the Interior referred to by local media.