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Interesting Comment After Robbery in Downtown Seattle

acmariner99

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Courtesy of KOMO: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/...courthouse-in-downtown-Seattle-170723586.html

A robbery suspect shot at a security guard who chased him and several bystanders held him down until police arrived. One comment that intrigued me was:

"You've got to think about what the potential consequences are. Especially if you're not armed, and if you're not able to take the kind of action you may need to take against somebody who is. It's a very risky step to take."

Obviously police departments don't like anybody apprehending a dangerous suspect during or after a crime. Though I am intrigued by the "especially if you are not armed" comment. What if a citizen was armed? Thoughts?
 

decklin

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Isn't Westlake's policy anti-gun? If so then this just supports the argument that no guns=more crime.
 

gogodawgs

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Courtesy of KOMO: http://www.komonews.com/news/local/...courthouse-in-downtown-Seattle-170723586.html

A robbery suspect shot at a security guard who chased him and several bystanders held him down until police arrived. One comment that intrigued me was:

"You've got to think about what the potential consequences are. Especially if you're not armed, and if you're not able to take the kind of action you may need to take against somebody who is. It's a very risky step to take."

Obviously police departments don't like anybody apprehending a dangerous suspect during or after a crime. Though I am intrigued by the "especially if you are not armed" comment. What if a citizen was armed? Thoughts?

Whether armed or not, you must understand the consequences.... in my opinion caution should be taken. The comment shows the false belief that if you are armed you are bullet proof and can do anything. It also shows the false notion that a firearm in the hands of a citizen is for anything but self defense.

From my understanding the first to apprehend the crook was a guy who came from behind and bear hugged the man and then others came to help. If you can get the drop on someone from behind and are big enough, strong enough and brave/crazy enough to do this then you took the proper caution and did the right thing.
 

amlevin

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If you can get the drop on someone from behind and are big enough, strong enough and brave/crazy enough to do this then you took the proper caution and did the right thing.


It also helps when you have half a dozen enthusiastic bystanders that are willing to jump in and help. I saw the video last night on Kiro and it looked like at least 6 people were involved in one way or another in taking this guy down. When the police finally arrived they had to wade into the crowd sitting on the guy.
 

sudden valley gunner

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It also helps when you have half a dozen enthusiastic bystanders that are willing to jump in and help. I saw the video last night on Kiro and it looked like at least 6 people were involved in one way or another in taking this guy down. When the police finally arrived they had to wade into the crowd sitting on the guy.

I find this to be a fairly common phenomenon, many people won't do anything until someone else reacts. It is why I feel fairly confident that if something was to go down and me being who I am and I intervene that others will join in.
 

MSG Laigaie

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The question may be...."If not you, Who?....If not now, When?"

We are not "superheros", and yes, we are not bullet proof. What is it in "us" that does not allow us to idly stand by when injustice occurs? Citizenship is a Verb and I applaud the actions of these Citizens.
 

ncwabbit

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I find this to be a fairly common phenomenon, many people won't do anything until someone else reacts. It is why I feel fairly confident that if something was to go down and me being who I am and I intervene that others will join in.

tis a social psychological trait that has been studied many many times and studies over the years have shown you should not be that confident others will join in as they are fickle and in fact could turn on you and your action(s)...
(http://www.brocku.ca/MeadProject/Bogardus/1924/1924_22.html) for your further reading enjoyment as the concepts are quite scary..

wabbit
 
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xxx.jakk.xxx

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The article I first read on this is that as the guy was fleeing he was shooting. Then someone, after being shot in the arm, chased down and tackled the guy. Again, this was the first article i read yesterday so they could have been off. But apparently it takes being shot in the arm to piss someone off enough to jump in tackle a bad guy.
 

sudden valley gunner

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tis a social psychological trait that has been studied many many times and studies over the years have shown you should not be that confident others will join in as they are fickle and in fact could turn on you and your action(s)...
(http://www.brocku.ca/MeadProject/Bogardus/1924/1924_22.html) for your further reading enjoyment as the concepts are quite scary..

wabbit

Yes you are right about turning on you depending on the circumstances. I believe though that most humans are inherently good and if you are correct in your actions they will join you in what is proper. OF course you should be absolutely sure about what is proper. Again though this depends on place (don't accost a gang banger in his neighborhood) time, and circumstances.

3 Planes hijacked by terrorist found their targets the 4th didn't because someone decided to take action and others followed.
 

Citizen

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Yes you are right about turning on you depending on the circumstances. I believe though that most humans are inherently good and if you are correct in your actions they will join you in what is proper. OF course you should be absolutely sure about what is proper. Again though this depends on place (don't accost a gang banger in his neighborhood) time, and circumstances.

3 Planes hijacked by terrorist found their targets the 4th didn't because someone decided to take action and others followed.

The passengers on the fourth found out what the other three were used for. Hats off to Todd Beamer and the rest of those passengers.
 

kparker

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If you can get the drop on someone from behind and are big enough, strong enough and brave/crazy enough to do this then you took the proper caution and did the right thing.

For sure; but given that the person had already fired on someone, you are completely justified in using lethal force against him. Why bear-hug him, as if he were the proverbial "drunk brother-in-law at a wedding reception?" If you know how to do it, stop the threat (just as you would with a firearm if you had one.) This doesn't require exceptional size or strength, just some training and the proper mindset.
 

amlevin

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For sure; but given that the person had already fired on someone, you are completely justified in using lethal force against him. Why bear-hug him, as if he were the proverbial "drunk brother-in-law at a wedding reception?" If you know how to do it, stop the threat (just as you would with a firearm if you had one.) This doesn't require exceptional size or strength, just some training and the proper mindset.

On a crowded city street, a "Brother In Law Bear Hug" may be far more appropriate a response than pulling a gun and engaging in a gunfight.
 

Freedom1Man

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Robbery suspect tackled after shooting in downtown Seattle

http://www.krem.com/news/northwest-news/170728976.html
by KING 5 News

KREM.com

Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:22 AM

Gallery

See all 5 photos »

A person was shot and injured following what police said was a robbery attempt in downtown Seattle Friday.

The shooting happened near 6th and Stewart around 10:30 a.m.


What would you have done if you had saw this play out?

Would you have shot (assuming you had a clean shot) the guy who did the shooting or tried to run him down and tackle him?
 
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