Debi Keeney’s gun normally stayed in a table drawer collecting dust. But on Sunday, she had an “eerie feeling” after someone had been fidgeting with her doorknob earlier in the day and decided to take her gun out.

In the early hours of the morning, Keeney went outside to smoke as she normally does. This time, however, a large man forced his way into her apartment, threw her on the couch and then put her sister in a choke hold.

She grabbed her gun and verbally warned the man she was armed, but all he wanted was cash and wouldn’t let go of her sister.

Keeney fired a warning shot—he still didn’t let go.

“All I could see was Donna’s face going blue, like her life was being choked out of her,” Keeney said.

When the man moved to a position that finally allowed Keeney to get a shot in, she fired.

The man eventually fell to the ground and the sisters were able to call the police.