A Rochester woman caught national attention after she took fearless action when an intruder attempted to break into her home. 

Willie Murphy, 82, is a force to be reckoned with. She says she works out at least three times a week at the Maplewood YMCA. Willie is also an award-winning senior powerlifter, who deadlifts up to 225 pounds.

Last Thursday night, around 11 p.m., a man started banging on Willie’s door. He says he was shot and pleaded for help. The man then attempted to break into Willie’s Rochester home.

“I said, ‘what do you need?’” Murphy said. “How can I help? He said, ‘oh, I’m shot. Call 9-1-1.’ I go into the living room. Like that, he breaks it (the door.) He’s in the house.”

Willie says it was dark inside and the intruder did not know the layout of her home, so she was able to grab the closest thing she could find to defend herself. This included a large bottle of soap, a broom, and a TV tray table.

“I’m wailing him. Get out, get out. Guess what? He falls backwards. I say oh, Lord. I jump up. I got this (soap) all in his face while he’s on the floor. I had the broom. He’s trying to get up,” Murphy explained.

The fearless woman also used a broom to keep her intruder down. She says law enforcement finally showed up in the midst of the scuffle. The officers who came to Willie’s rescue even asked to take a photo with her. The man was treated at the hospital for his injuries. Willie did not press charges.

While no supporter of violence, Willie did offer a self-defense tip.

“If somebody tries to attack you do anything possible to get away,” said Willie. “If you got anything on you, a key chain; whatever…take the keychain and go for the eyes. You know, got to take them out.”

The senior powerlifter has gone viral on social media over the incident but does not believe she deserves the recognition.

“Because there are so many other people doing so many other fantastic things,” said Willie. “They should get recognition over me, because all I did was beat somebody down and put them in the hospital.”

Willie says she is here to stay in her Rochester home and hopes this teaches everyone to use their mind as a weapon in taking fast action, but by all means keep the peace.