I was "assaulted" today.

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The Annoyed Man
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I was "assaulted" today.

#1

Post by The Annoyed Man »

I had an interesting moment today. I had to go by the LabCorp location at Baylor Grapevine today to have some blood drawn. Anyway, I disarmed in the parking lot as the building is posted '06/'07, and walked in dutifully wearing my mask. I entered the lab's waiting area from the building's lobby, and upon entry, I saw the digital check-in station a few feet to the left and back from the receptionist's window. Directly back from that window was a blue taped cross on the floor where the next person in line for the receptionist was supposed to stand. Rather than standing on that cross, the next guy in line was standing a couple of feet to the left of it.....like he was trying to put a couple of extra feet between himself and the guy standing on the next cross 6 ft behind him. In so doing, he lessened the distance between himself and the check-in station.

I walked around the 1st guy to get to the check-in station, and in doing so, I passed within about 3-4 ft of him. As I passed by him, he reached out and shoved me from behind on my right shoulder, and shouted something like "Hey! Keep 6 ft distance!" or words to that effect. I was so surprised I didn't even respond except to tell him that I was just trying to get to the check-in station, and I put some distance between us. He pointed out a second station at the back of the room, which I had not seen upon first entering, and I went about my business over there.

While I was checking in, I overheard this cretin's conversation with the receptionist, and he was explaining that he was just holding his mother's place in the line while she waited outside because he was too scared to make wait her inside because of all the COVID-19 clouding up the place. Dude is THAT afraid of the cooties, but he has no problem placing his hands on a total stranger. And mind you, this is in a public lab inside an attached professional building, not inside the hospital proper.

Was I hurt? Not in the least. But it definitely was an assault. It wasn’t a gentle tap on the shoulder. It was definitely an aggressive shove, and it was definitely unprovoked. From his perspective, I was probably nothing more than an old man who blundered into his 12' personal circle, and he plainly saw me as harmless enough to assault without fear of retaliation. The dude was a mid-30s to early-40s, nerdy looking fat guy. I seriously doubt he’d have done it to someone he thought would whip his butt for it. The fact is, if I wanted to, I probably could have whipped his butt. After recovering from my initial surprise, I simply chose not to whupp him or to escalate things into an verbal argument, and I left it alone instead.

When I got to my turn at the receptionist window, I asked the woman in the reception window if she’d seen what happened, she said yes, part of it, and agreed that it was assault.

I never found out who the guy was other than his first name being "Karen", nor do I have any interest in pursuing this thing any further even if s⃫h⃫e⃫ he were easily identifiable. But I am fairly certain that what happened meets the legal definition of an unprovoked assault, and had I wanted to, I could have had him arrested. I’m just not that guy.

The point of this is I guess the need to perhaps be a little bit more vigilant than I normally would be. I try to exist in condition yellow when I’m out and about; and whenever I have to disarm in order to enter a medical facility like I did today, I’m obviously thinking more about the potential dangers from something like an active shooter situation, and not really thinking about being assaulted by some nerdy looking guy waiting in a line. He shoved me from behind, so I didn’t see it coming.

I like to think that, had this happened out in the open, while I was armed, I’d react exactly the same way. Why? Because this was definitely not something worth shooting anyone over. The flip side of this is that I did let somebody get inside my OODA loop because I didn’t perceive him as a potential threat. If he had been more sketchy looking, I’d have probably paid more attention to him. The difference between me and him? I saw what appeared to be a harmless person, and I ignored him. He saw what appeared to be a harmless person, and he acted like a bully.

In the greater scheme of things, this was pretty small potatoes. But for me, it was an eye opener, and I’m not certain I could have done a single thing to prevent it.
“Hard times create strong men. Strong men create good times. Good times create weak men. And, weak men create hard times.”

― G. Michael Hopf, "Those Who Remain"

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Jusme
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#2

Post by Jusme »

Maybe it’s just me, but people seem to have adopted an attitude, that they somehow, now, exist in a bubble. While I don’t wish to infect anyone with a potentially life threatening, illness, the numbers don’t bear out the, massive overreaction from some people. The survival rate is well above 99%. Which is better than the survival rate of driving more than 30 miles in the DFW area. This coming from someone who lost a good friend to the virus. But he had contracted Hep C from a blood transfusion.
TAM, you have the patience of Job. While I may not have responded with force, I would have definitely responded with more verbosity than you did. You’re probably correct, in that, it’s not the hill to die on. Mainstream media, BLM, (name the persecuted special class) have emboldened people to believe, that they no longer have to live within the norms of a decent society. JMHO
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strogg
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#3

Post by strogg »

If I were in the situation, I may or may not have added some extra words. It really depends. The last thing I want to do is escalate the situation to a dangerous level. Although it would give me satisfaction to know that the cretin would pay dearly for his actions against me, I'm sure there will be a provocation in his future where karma takes over. People like that don't just assault others one-off.

Anyhow, it makes me glad my doctor's office is not an 06/07 location. I actually went to see him today for my annual physical with my 43x tucked IWB. I left it holstered when I got weighed, but I did empty my pockets first which included a spare mag. No one seemed to care.
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Oldgringo
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#4

Post by Oldgringo »

In hindsight, you might have called for security and let them escort this walking fecal matter to the door?

K.Mooneyham
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#5

Post by K.Mooneyham »

TAM, you are a good guy with the ability to keep calm and think things through. Mr. Shover, IMHO, is lucky that it was YOU that he chose to do that to. If he keeps shoving people, or perhaps even decides to get a bit more "hands-on", the next time he may pick the wrong person to do that to...and there is a serious chance it will cost him to make that decision. Some folks only learn the hard way, he sounds like he's probably one of them.
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RoyGBiv
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#6

Post by RoyGBiv »

I've traded my pocket knife for Pepper Spray recently.
Morons and coyotes are more aggressive these days.
Pepper spray is also more compatible with social distancing.
I am not a lawyer. This is NOT legal advice.!
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03Lightningrocks
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#7

Post by 03Lightningrocks »

Some folks have lost their minds. I can't even imagine laying my hands on someone like he did. Like you, I might have also been somewhat caught off guard. It has been so many years since anyone tried to shove me around I don't really know what I would have done. My hat is off to you in how you handled it.
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Paladin
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#8

Post by Paladin »

Sorry to hear about the craziness. Sounds like the guy was a real piece of work. I should think LabCorp should have had him removed... fortunate for him he didn't try that on me.
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RPBrown
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#9

Post by RPBrown »

I applaud your restraint and I would hope I could show the same restraint but just not sure. Karma will get him. Reminds me of the fight scene from Second Hand Lions.
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Grayling813
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#10

Post by Grayling813 »

In that situation you really only had two good choices: 1. Let it pass and ignore him. 2. Call police and report the assault.

For me, someone lays hands on me like that in a non-deadly force use manner I'm calling the police. That jerk may injure the next person he shoves if he's not given pause to think about consequences.

Tex1961
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#11

Post by Tex1961 »

Yea.. I'll admit I was pretty irritated about this... A. It was a fellow forum member and LTC holder... B. It was here local DFW area... I'll admit you did better than what my first reaction would have been... I've thought about your post several times and I always try to put myself in your situation and seriously ask myself what would I have done... I honestly think I would have turned around and yelled at the guy "What the hell" and yes.. time permitting would have asked the nurse to call security... I don't do bullying very well and usually have very strong reactions to that type of behavior.... Good for you being calm.... Your a better man than me....

parabelum
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#12

Post by parabelum »

TAM, as many stated, my hat tip goes to you Sir. That fart probably would not have picked me to shove I presume, at 40 and 6’1” and 215 lbs and in shape I’d say he would have moved on like a coward. BTW, not sure 100% but in TX assault on 65+ person is a 3rd degree felony I believe.

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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#13

Post by OneGun »

I would have called the police, taken his picture, and smiled when they arrested him. People are becoming bullies and this has to stop.
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Rafe
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#14

Post by Rafe »

parabelum wrote: Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:07 am TAM, as many stated, my hat tip goes to you Sir. That fart probably would not have picked me to shove I presume, at 40 and 6’1” and 215 lbs and in shape I’d say he would have moved on like a coward. BTW, not sure 100% but in TX assault on 65+ person is a 3rd degree felony I believe.
You're right: the "elderly individual" definition is 65+. I think assault on the "elderly" ranges from a state 1st degree felony if the assault is intentional and results in serious bodily injury, to a 3rd degree felony if it's intentional and results in bodily harm (not serious bodily harm). There are a number of permutations in there about disabilities, injury by negligence, and other factors. The Penal Code chapter is 22, in section 22.04.

Doesn't TAM have a bunch of years of martial arts experience in him? Not the correct reaction at all in that instance, but it would still have been satisfying as a spectator to see the idiot's hand touch TAM's shoulder, and have TAM instantly do some sort of Jet Li Chin-Na joint locking stuff to drop him to his knees before he had time to blink. :mrgreen:
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mrvmax
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Re: I was "assaulted" today.

#15

Post by mrvmax »

I’m glad it hasn’t happened to me and I hope I react the same way. I’m not too fond of people pushing or touching me. I know in my local HEB there have been physical altercations over similar things. I’ve had some looks for not wearing a mask where not required but no verbal exchanges yet. If people leave me alone I do the same.

What I’ve thought about more is what I’d do if I see what you describe happening to someone else.
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