Woman, 70, kills intruder at motel
10/23/2009COLUMBUS - A 70-year-old woman who shot a would-be robber at a North Side motel last night feels sick about the shooting, according to her son.
Columbus police say the shooting occurred about 9:15 p.m. Wednesday at the Continent Inn, located at the Continent shopping center, off State Rt. 161 near I-71.
The woman was in Columbus to attend the All-American Quarter Horse Congress.
Sgt. Eric Pilya of the homicide squad said the woman was in a motel room with four or five others and they'd cracked open the door to get fresh air.
Sergeant Pilya said a man barged into the room, demanding money from those inside.
Police said the woman, from southern Ohio, grabbed a gun that she had in the room and shot the man, who staggered into the parking lot of the motel and died.
Police had not released the dead man's name or the name of the woman who shot him.
The woman's son, who spoke on the condition that his name and his mom's name not be used, said his mother is distraught about the shooting and has felt sick since it occurred.
No charges had been filed. Sergeant Pilya said it's likely that the case will be presented to a Franklin County grand jury to see whether the woman should be charged. Her son said she has a permit to carry a concealed weapon.
The annual All-American Quarter Horse Congress is at the state fairgrounds and ends Sunday.