But the woman's son, who asked not to be identified, left no doubt that his mother may have saved the lives of several family members, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.

"I'm just thankful that a 70-year-old woman had a clear head to do what she did," he said.

The woman and her family traveled to Columbus earlier this week from Ironton to attend the All-American Quarter Horse Association.  They were staying at the Continent Inn in North Columbus on Wednesday night when a man armed with a gun barged into their hotel room and demanded money.

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"None of us are leaving this room alive, that's what was going through my mind," the son said. 

He said the gunman kicked open the hotel room door, which was left open just a crack for ventilation, and pointed the gun at everyone inside.

"We were sitting there talking and all of sudden the door flies open and this guy steps in with a gun," the son said.  "He stuck it in my son-in-law's face first, and he said, 'Everybody knows what the game is here. I want your money and I want your jewelry.'"

The son said he was searching for cash to give to the man when his mother reached for her purse.  His mother pulled out a .357 caliber handgun and fired at the man.

"She pulled the gun out of her purse and when she came back over the bed she came over and shot him," the son said.

The robber, who police identified as Wayne Winston, 25, of Missouri, stumbled into the hotel parking lot where he died.

The son said that while his mother is glad her actions saved her family, she was saddened that another family is mourning the loss of their son, Landers reported.

Police said the shooting was justified, but the case will go before a Franklin County grand jury for review.

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October 22, 2009: Woman, 70, Shoots, Kills Hotel Intruder

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