Yet another "How would you react?" scenario

[Rugrash]

At approximately 11:30am Saturday Aug 23rd, my good friend and his 3yr old were robbed at gun point, while looking for a movie, in the middle of Blockbuster Video on Main & Studewood. Three armed black males, walked into blockbuster; two were in the front with the cashier robbing her & the register while one had a gun on Trey and his son. They had blue bandannas around their faces and baseball caps. According to the police; a group with this description have been targeting this area and the area just outside the loop. The crowd-control perp took only Trey's phone (no wallet or his cash) and told him to lie on the floor and stay still and that "he wasn't going to hurt his baby." There was nobody else in the store, so they were waiting for the right time.

Trey doesn't have his CHL and said that he didn't even see the one perp approach him till it was too late. I don't have kids, but I can imagine that it's hard to stay in condition yellow and multitask with a child etc. Trey was lucky that these guys only had robbery on their minds. I'm thankful that nothing else happened to them.

My advice to him was to get Netflix, get his CHL, some training and finally to try to be more aware of his surroundings.

Now for the "what would you have done?" part of the post. Thanks!!

-Rug

[tbranch]

Now for the "what would you have done?" part of the post.

Rug,

Doesn't sound like there was much he could have done even if he was armed. If you've read, "The Art of War" knowing when to fight is very important. Three armed criminals and a child involved doesn't sound like great odds to me.

Tom

[seamusTX]

This is one reason why I try to locate the rear exit everywhere I go. You don't always have notice, but if you see three masked men enter a place, it's time to beat feet.

Also, far be it from me to advise anyone to move, but I'm not at all surprised that this type of crime occurred in that neighborhood (north of downtown Houston).

- Jim

[Excaliber]

Trey doesn't have his CHL and said that he didn't even see the one perp approach him till it was too late.

Detection of a developing incident before the criminal commits to the point of no return provides some room for maneuver, escape, or tactical positioning and engagement from cover.

If one is unaware there is a problem until an attack is actually launched or a confrontation initiated, the defensive options range from very few and poor to none with any realistic chance of emerging unharmed, even for armed individuals. The choices usually come down to submission with hoping for the best (often the best you can do while hoping the BG isn't looking to go on a power trip by executing people), attempting to draw on a drawn gun (generally recognized as suicidal), or going hand to hand with an armed and aggressive street criminal in cases where you think he's going to kill you anyway - (really dicey to suicidal also).

In the situation described, I would say Trey took the best choice available to him under the circumstances which involved two other armed actors in addition to the individual who confronted him at close range. This assessment is validated by the fact that he and his son are still alive. While his experience was no doubt terrifying, I don't see any other option he could have executed with better or as good results.

[nitrogen]

If I thought I saw an opening I might act, but most likely I'd have been a good witness, unless the perps attention turned to my kid or me.

[amber]

Now for the "what would you have done?" part of the post. Thanks!!

Pay attention. Especially when you're out in public.

[tallmike]

Now for the "what would you have done?" part of the post. Thanks!!

-Rug

Exactly what he did. If he didnt see the situation developing in time to remove himself from it then all he could do is keep his kid calm and safe by cooperating.

[WarHawk-AVG]

Unfortunately any action once the BG has the drop on you only makes the situation worse

Horrible scenario because not only was he outmanned he was outgunned and he had his child with him, if they did decide to "eliminate" the witnesses the outcome of the situation would have been unbearable

Not a good thing to let the badguys get the drop on you like that, I guess netflix might be a good option for him

[KinnyLee]

My advice to him was to get Netflix, get his CHL, some training and finally to try to be more aware of his surroundings.

That's pretty good advice to me. I like Netflix.

[Velocity]

My advice to him was to get Netflix, get his CHL, some training and finally to try to be more aware of his surroundings.

That's pretty good advice to me. I like Netflix.

I was going to say the same, and my advice would be the same, but in the exact opposite order.

[DoubleJ]

oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooor, Blockbuster Online...

[bryang]

My advice to him was to get Netflix, get his CHL, some training and finally to try to be more aware of his surroundings. Now for the "what would you have done?" part of the post. Thanks!!

-Rug

I think Trey did about as good as he could concerning the circumstance. I agree he needs some training in situational awareness and living in condition yellow, especially when he is out and about the city. I think he did well by submitting to the BG's request, because 1) they had their faces covered. 2) he had the drop on him. 3) Thank the Lord it was not some crazed crack head that burst in with no cover on his face...usually they will not leave any witness. I am thankful it turned out okay for Trey and his son.

-geo

[Rugrash]

http://www.khou.com/news/local/crime/st ... nts_anchor

and

http://www.click2houston.com/news/17310121/detail.html

[Rockrz]

My advice to him was to get Netflix

Bingo!

Like, why go out to places like this were people with no jobs, low paying jobs, on dope, drunks, etc, etc, congregate???
Especially with a young child!

It pays to live out in the boon docks where the cops tell you up front to be armed cause "it's gonna take us a while to get there"

[Liberty]

My advice to him was to get Netflix

Bingo!

Like, why go out to places like this were people with no jobs, low paying jobs, on dope, drunks, etc, etc, congregate???
Especially with a young child!

It pays to live out in the boon docks where the cops tell you up front to be armed cause "it's gonna take us a while to get there"

I got a little bit of a problem with this thread,
Are people really serious that they feel we should never gpo out anywhere in public with our you children. The implicatation seems to be that with such young children we should never leave the home. and do all our purchasing online.
What an awful way to live, I think that I'm getting an idea why so many of our children are so unprepared for the real world. Am I wrong in this? Are people really suggesting that we shouldn't take our kids out to the movie rental place? How about convienience stores,Wallyworld , Church?

Iguess there is Sunday services on TV, ebay and Amazon. Keeping the kids locked in the house and away from strangers is [possible. Heck we don't even have to let them out of the hours for school anymore with home schooling. Who is paranoid? me or them?