Things are not always what they seem...

[Odin]

The discussion about using force to help a third party, and the resulting comments about how you never really know if the situation is actually what it appears to be reminded me of something that happend to me a couple of months ago.

I was pumping gas at the gas station on the SW corner of Midway & Beltline in Addison, an extremely busy intersection. It was a little after lunch time and the roads were packed as usual. I had my driver door open, other doors locked, windows up. The keys were hanging in the ignition and I was standing in the open driver's doorway.

As I pumped gas I was looking out over the Midway & Beltline intersection. As the light for east/west traffic turned red a guy on a motorcycle turned north on Midway from westbound Beltline and wiped out across the intersection. His motorcycle came skidding towards the corner where I was pumping gas, and he went rolling in front of the southbound Midway traffic that was just taking off from their fresh green light.

Being a lifelong motorcyclist, I immediately ran to the rider to see if he was OK and see if I could help. The rider was in jeans and a t-shirt, but appeard to be OK considering his spill. He immediately jumped up and and asked me to help him get his motorcycle out of the street. We rolled the bike to the curb. He was acting a little freaked out and not answering my questions about if he was OK. He seemed nervous and jumpy, but I attributed that to his near death experience.

As soon as we got his bike to the curb he just dropped it on the grass, not bothering to use the kickstand. He kept glancing back at the intersection. I looked over at the intersection and saw an Addison police SUV trying to navigate over the curb westbound on Beltline to get to the intersection. I figured the officer saw the wreck and was trying to respond.

As soon as the motorcycle rider saw the officer coming he took off running straight towards the open door of my truck. At that instant I knew that the situation was more than it first appeared. I also instantly realized that the guy was closer to my open truck door than I was, that my keys were in the ignition, and that a loaded 1911 was in the center console.

I wouldn't normally leave a weapon in the truck, but I'd placed the gun in the console when I changed into running clothes and was on the way to run with a friend. I wouldn't normally leave my truck unattended with the keys in the ignition and the door open, but the circumstances caused me to react in order to attempt to assist an injured person. So the circumstances being what they were, that's how it was.

The guy headed straight for my truck and tried to hop in. I got there in time to drag him out from the driver seat area and start to scuffle with him on the ground. He was sweaty and hard to hold on to and got to his feet fast. At the same time the Addison police officer was pulling into the parking lot just north of the gas station trying to get over to the gas station (he couldn't get directly into the gas station from where he had been).

The motorcycle rider wasn't interested in fighting, he just wanted to get out of there. I wasn't interested in fighting, I just wanted him away from my truck, my gun, and myself. The guy took off running northwest through the parking lot seconds before the officer rolled up to me. I pointed and told the officer that he was running between the buildings. The officer drove after him but the guy ran into a wooded creek area and disappeared.

Addison police searched for the guy but I don't know if they found him. It turns out that the motorcycle was stolen and the guy had been running from the police when he ran the light and wiped out. Due to the traffic, the pursuing officer was stuck way behind the motorcycle and the cycle was splitting lanes to get to the front of the traffic jam, so I never saw the officer when the wreck happened. To the people who saw the wreck it looked like a normal crash, not a chase and a crash, so there was no way to know that the guy on the motorcycle was running from the police.

Long story, but just an example of how we can see everything with our own eyes but still not see "everything" (circumstances leading up to the event, other factors) and it's very easy to make a conclusion about something based on what you know and then find out that your conclusion was way off because of what you didn't know.

This is no different from people thinking that they see a crime such as robbery or assault or kidnapping occurring when they are actually seeing a disturbance between familiar parties or something else totally different. This is one reason why I am hesitant to jump into any force situation that doesn't directly involve me, because I probably don't know all of the circumstances, and I'd prefer to not get involved unless/until it is absolutely necessary.

[seamusTX]

Thanks for the instructive story. I'm glad you got out of the situation with no harm done.

- Jim

[BobCat]

Odin,

Agreed, thanks for the illustration that things are often not as they seem.

When I took my first CHL class we had a coffee break about midway through the morning. People were asking the instructor about situations in which it would be appropriate to shoot to defend themselves or a third party.

I remember the guy got a real tired look on his face and said, "The law says you may, it does not say you must."

Drawing my pistol to defind my wife or myself would be unique in my experience - I've lead a sheltered life and never been in a gunfight or even close to one. Maybe individuals who have been in a number of gunfights get used to it, and can say without doubt that they would "get involved" to save an innocent. I would like to believe that I would "get involved" and save the innocent person from harm - but "getting involved" may not mean drawing my pistol.

There was a widely-publicized case a number of years ago, in New Youk City, in which a young woman named Kitty Genovese was knifed to death on the street, over a period of many minutes (I think the attacker left and came back or something like that - you can find the case on the web). No one came to her aid. Even calling the police would have been coming to her aid in this situation, I'm not saying that disarmed New Yorkers ought to have come boiling out of their hives brandishing kitchen knives. No one wanted to get involved, and an innocent woman died. I never want to be one of the ones who "did not want to get involved."

OTOH I am not a cop, I am not Batman or Robin, or Chuck Norris. I have a responsibility as a human being and a U.S. Citizen to do my best for those around me - but my primary responsiblity as a human being and a husband is to protect my wife, and not leave her a widow or penniless because I jumped into a situation.

You went to help the motorcyclist - but soon realized he was not the innocent person you initially believed him to be. Perception is tricky and if someone is just itchin' to "get involved" and shoot a "bad guy" to protect a "good guy" - that person's perception could easily lead him astray.

All of this is a long-winded way of saying you are right, you never get the whole story at first look; and pre-deciding to "get involved" or "not get involved" can set one up for a fall.

Regards,
Andrew

[stevie_d_64]

Good stuff Odin!

So what have we learned from this incident???

First thing I'll throw out there, is that no matter how long, or short my stop is at some facility, for whatever reason, I will not leave my keys in the ignition, or immediately visible in the vehicle, making it easier to steal...

I'll leave the firearm, and use of force issue, to anyone else wishing to comment...

Don't think I'm dumping on Odin here...Far from it, I think he did good to react as he did, considering the disadvantage he was in at the time...

Just my take on it...

[Odin]

I'm always careful not to walk away from my truck with the keys in the ignition but I've always gassed up with them in there. I have a 37 gallon tank and it takes 5-10 minutes to fill up sometimes, so I usually get the pump started then sit in the truck and listen to the radio or something so I leave the keys in. Obviously, it's not the best plan as I found out.

The gun in the truck is something I don't like, but a 1911 will pull down a pair of gym shorts so I had it in the OWB holster in the console. I guess I could use a fanny pack for running, but even with the fanny pack I'd probably only carry my airweight .38 when running because I don't want a 1911 banging against me for several miles of running.

[stevie_d_64]

I'm always careful not to walk away from my truck with the keys in the ignition but I've always gassed up with them in there. I have a 37 gallon tank and it takes 5-10 minutes to fill up sometimes, so I usually get the pump started then sit in the truck and listen to the radio or something so I leave the keys in. Obviously, it's not the best plan as I found out.

Thats cool...I have a 26 gallon tank in my truck...And it takes a while sometimes too...I totally understand...I'm usually not alone, so I tend to leave the keys in as well, and just stay outside while taking on fuel...And she's pretty sharp when it comes to a situation like what you got into...She has a gift...And she's pretty smart too!!!

The gun in the truck is something I don't like, but a 1911 will pull down a pair of gym shorts so I had it in the OWB holster in the console. I guess I could use a fanny pack for running, but even with the fanny pack I'd probably only carry my airweight .38 when running because I don't want a 1911 banging against me for several miles of running.

I don't run anymore unless I have to, and I'm being chased, and it depends on who's chasing me...That Airweight is a great little firearm...I just wish they weren't so proud of them and slapping that kind of price on them...Or I might consider making a change in my normal carry package...Seriously...

You did good Odin! don't let anyone git yer goat there!

[Odin]

The gun in the truck is something I don't like, but a 1911 will pull down a pair of gym shorts so I had it in the OWB holster in the console. I guess I could use a fanny pack for running, but even with the fanny pack I'd probably only carry my airweight .38 when running because I don't want a 1911 banging against me for several miles of running.

I don't run anymore unless I have to, and I'm being chased, and it depends on who's chasing me...That Airweight is a great little firearm...I just wish they weren't so proud of them and slapping that kind of price on them...Or I might consider making a change in my normal carry package...Seriously...

You did good Odin! don't let anyone git yer goat there!

I don't like to run, but it's the only way I can stay in decent shape for cardio stuff and maintain good endurance. I don't like running indoors, so I usually either run through my neighborhood or go to a local school and use their track when I want to see how bad my mile time has fallen off.

You're right about those S&W Airweights, I bought a Taurus titanium framed 5-shot .38 for much less. I've put hundreds of rounds through that gun, and although it's not comfortable to shoot it's very accurate (for a 2" snubbie), as easy to carry as a wallet, and goes bang every time I pull the trigger.

The worst part about my gas station incident was that when I was fighting with the guy that I got covered in his slimy sweat. When I saw him up close he looked like a typical white trash meth tweak/burglar type, just kinda nasty. It was hot outside and he was all sweaty. I'm just glad I didn't squeeze any open sores on him.

[Popshot]

Odin,

This first-hand account, and well-written I wish to add, is very enlightening as an example that the routine daily rush of life can change into a dangerous situation in mere moments.

[orionengnr]

That account is really good food for thought. I ride too so I would be inclined to respond as you did. I'm kind of bad about leaving the keys in the ignition and the door open while re-fueling...have to rethink that.

I am trying very hard to get in the "always on-body" mode. Here in TX, summer goes forever; it is not easy or comfortable to carry 24/7. When I get in the car or truck, it is easier to place the pistol somewhere accessible in the vehicle rather than to retain it on-body, but as your experience demonstrates, "easier" is not always "better". Now that it is jacket weather, it's a whole lot easier to maintain "on-body" in the vehicle...but I have some thinking to do before summer comes 'round again.

My own personal philosophy has evolved to: 9mm or 38+p in the summer (easier to carry/conceal in summer clothing, plus BGs are wearing lighter clothing too), 45acp in winter (I can conceal it and may need more punch to get through heavier BG garments).

Now I just have to work out the various carry/concealment/comfort issues...

Needless to say, I'd rather just carry 45acp year round, but being a skinny geek who likes shorts/t-shirts in summer (+/-9 months here), I have a ways to go...

[TxFire]

Odin,
I can relate to your practices. I run and when heading somewhere to run my gun is also stashed in the truck somewhat accessible. I am also bad about leaving the keys in at a gas station. Not many options for me with the gun, but I need to stop leaving the keys in.

[TX Rancher]

That account is really good food for thought. I ride too so I would be inclined to respond as you did. I'm kind of bad about leaving the keys in the ignition and the door open while re-fueling...have to rethink that.

I am trying very hard to get in the "always on-body" mode. Here in TX, summer goes forever; it is not easy or comfortable to carry 24/7. When I get in the car or truck, it is easier to place the pistol somewhere accessible in the vehicle rather than to retain it on-body, but as your experience demonstrates, "easier" is not always "better". Now that it is jacket weather, it's a whole lot easier to maintain "on-body" in the vehicle...but I have some thinking to do before summer comes 'round again.

My own personal philosophy has evolved to: 9mm or 38+p in the summer (easier to carry/conceal in summer clothing, plus BGs are wearing lighter clothing too), 45acp in winter (I can conceal it and may need more punch to get through heavier BG garments).

Now I just have to work out the various carry/concealment/comfort issues...

Needless to say, I'd rather just carry 45acp year round, but being a skinny geek who likes shorts/t-shirts in summer (+/-9 months here), I have a ways to go...

For summer, I wear a light cotton shirt and leave it untucked/unbuttoned. I can carry IWB or OWB that way and to the best of my knowledge have never been “made�. Choice of weapon is typically my Kimber Ultra...

Something to remember is the majority of people see what they expect to see, and they do not expect to see folks carrying . Therefore, even if they notice the “bulge�, they assume something like a cell phone or PDA.

Just watch for those gusts of wind.