The children of a well-known businessman shot during an attempted robbery in Lurgan have been left terrified by the ordeal, their mother told UTV.
The victim, in his fifties, was shot in the leg and struck on the arm with a sledgehammer after two masked men tried to force their way into his house shortly after 9.30pm on Tuesday night.
His wife, who does not want to be identified, told UTV: "My husband asked them what they wanted and they held up the gun at this point. He said you're not serious and they rushed forward and attacked him."
"I just went blank and ran up to get the police, to get help because I was scared they were still there.''
"I thought it was a shot, I couldn't believe it was a shot. I couldn't see any reason for it. I was really worried. ''
The couple's daughters, aged 11 and 18, were at home at the time but were not injured.
The eldest tried to go for help, but turned back terrified her parents would be harmed if she did.
Their mother told UTV they had been left terrified by the ordeal.
"I think it just numbs you, it's so bad - something that you can't describe until you've been through it," she told UTV.
"My biggest fear is that they would try it again, either with us or somebody else and that they would be successful next time," she said.
Local MLA Dolores Kelly has condemned the attack and raised concerns about the number of crimes in rural areas.
"Evidence to date has shown that there have been a number of burglaries and assaults in isolated rural areas - a local farm was actually burgled last week but fortunately no one was hurt," she said.
"There is really a step-change in the level of violence used and there's certainly a gang on the loose which I hope is quickly apprehended."
Forensic experts spent the day combing the countryside home for clues in the hunt for the robbers.
Initial enquiries suggest that a red Audi A4 car was used by the men and that the car was stolen following a burglary in the Fortfield area of Dromore, Co Down, which was reported shortly after 5.30pm on Tuesday.
The victim was released from hospital on Wednesday afternoon.
© UTV News