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Mother shot after answering knock at her door; kids unharmed

The woman was able to tell investigators someone knocked at her door, and as soon as she answered it a man tried to force his way in.

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A knock at the door leads to a scary life or death situation for one northwest Harris County mom.

Kysten Wiist was shot several times during a home invasion on Monday night after answering her front door at the Trails of Windfern Apartments, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office. 

Chris Patterson, Wiist’s husband said, “Had she not fought him off she’d probably would have been dead.”

Patterson said his wife is recovering at Ben Taub Hospital from what he calls a fight for her life.

Credit: KHOU 11
Windfern home invasion, shooting

He said Wiist answered the front door after hearing what she thought was a familiar knock late last night.

“She thought it was either just one of my friends or thought it was me coming home early,” Patterson said. “The second she opened it, the door pushed in. He had a gun pointed on her and said, ‘This is a robbery. Give me all your money.’”

Their 4-year-old daughter witnessed the whole thing.

Patterson said that’s when his wife went into a fight-or-flight mode.

“At one point she got shoved to the ground in the fight and he fired a shot near her head trying to hit her in the head but missed. She panicked, got back up, charged him again and that’s the time when she got shot in the chest,” Patterson said.

Wiist was also shot in the hand.

Authorities say the suspect ran away with nothing.

HCSO described the suspect as being about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing around 150 pounds. He was wearing black basketball shorts and black shirt.

Patterson doesn’t know why they were targeted but he isn’t surprised his wife did what she could to protect their family.

“Mama bear, man. When the kids are in the house; I don’t think I would take her on if it came down to it. She’s just; her kids are the most important thing to her,” Patterson said.

He said he’s terrified to go home.

He asks everyone to be extra careful when answering the door especially at night. He said always make sure your porch light is on.

Anyone with information that can help authorities is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713.222.TIPS.

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