Police in Newtownards, Co Down, are investigating a savage attack on a family last night.
A married couple and their 18-year-old son were treated for their injuries in hospital following their ordeal in which they were beaten and tied up by two masked men.
A Police Service of Northern Ireland spokeswoman said the two raiders forced their way into the house on the Bangor Road at around 8.50 p.m as the woman was leaving.
She was pushed backwards onto the kitchen floor by the men, who were armed with a hammer and a handgun. Her husband, who heard his wife's screams, was also beaten and forced to the floor.
The spokeswoman said one of the men then assaulted the couple's son with a hammer, hitting him on the forehead. The other man threatened to shoot the youth.
She said the raiders ripped the telephones from the wall and used the cords to tie up their victims.
One man then stood guard while the second ransacked the house. They then made off in the family's black BMW with cash, jewellery and other items.
The car was later found abandoned in the village of Conlig, Co Down.
Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.