US woman, 92, shot and killed son 'to avoid going to aged care home'

A 92-year-old US woman shot dead her son because he wanted to place her in an assisted living facility, local police say. 

Anna Mae Blessing allegedly hid two pistols inside her robe before killing her 72-year-old son at their Fountain Hill, Arizona, home on Monday. 

"According to statements provided by suspect Blessing and received by the detectives, she had been contemplating for several days her son's intentions to place her in an assisted living facility," a statement from the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said.

"Blessing retrieved two pistols and concealed them in the pockets of her robe then confronted her son in his bedroom.

"During the confrontation, Blessing stated that she removed the handgun and fired multiple rounds striking and killing her son."

Ms Blessing is also accused of turning the guns on her son's girlfriend, who was able to wrestle both weapons from the elderly woman and contact police. 

Ms Blessing was later charged with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and kidnapping.

"It is always concerning when domestic issues escalate to violence or tragic outcomes," Sheriff Paul Penzone said.

"They are often isolated and neither predictable nor preventable."