SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A woman who shot a grizzly bear that ultimately died after she believed it posed a threat to her North Idaho family is worried she may be in trouble for killing a federally protected species.

The Spokesman-Review reports Barbara Casey shot the 2-year-old male grizzly Tuesday after it appeared in the backyard of her Moyie Springs home in Boundary County.

Casey says her family stood on the porch and unsuccessfully tried to scare the bear away by banging pots and pans. She started firing warning shots, but she says she shot the bear twice after it started charging at her and her children.

The bear ran down the hill, where a neighbor later shot it in the head.

The incident is under investigation.

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