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Russell said she and her husband legally carry handguns, and they had them in the motel room.

For a moment, she said, it looked like the thief just wanted her husband's briefcase.

"He came over, grabbed the briefcase, and I thought for a moment he was just going to leave because he had something," Russell said. "Then he turned around and he opened fire. My husband returned fire. And he's a better shot."

According to police, both men fired multiple rounds.

Russell said her husband was hit three times. He underwent surgery at University of New Mexico Hospital and is expected to be there for a few days while he recovers.

Officers found the other man in the parking lot. He died at the scene.