WWYD???

[seconds]

DPS has a video posted that illustrates the "what if" ambiguity very well.

http://www.youtube.com/user/TXCHLI?feat ... JgbFJeMgis

"Kidnapping? No, just a family getting their runaway daughter back."

seconds

[HankB]

Calling 911 - absolutely. ASAP, along with taking cell-phone pix of the incident, if possible.

Intervening in what may be some sort of routine domestic argument between two people who are strangers to me - with all that implies?

Not likely.

[Katygunnut]

I have to question a few replies here, for me to stand and do nothing while another human being is being forced against their will into a car or being beaten is plain out wrong, if you are able to help you should. Yes you can be a good witness but when he drives away with her in the car and puts a bullet in her head a few blocks away and you did nothing to stop it how are you going to reconcile that ?

As for what I would do, I don't know I have never been in that situation. I would not stand by and do nothing. I would do what I could to prevent further damage.

I'd say that you need to do what you feel comfortable with. Just know that you might also need to reconcile yourself to the fact that you inadvertently escalated a routine domestic situation between a father / daughter, or Girlfriend / Boyfriend, into a situation where some one was killed. Also, know that even if it is a legitimate domestic violence situation, you might still end up in jail after the abused wife / girlfriend testifies that you shot her boyfriend for no reason.

[tbrown]

You didn't say I know the people, so it's two strangers fighting. I'm not willing to get shot, stabbed, or arrested for meddling in random strangers' personal problems. My answer is call 911 and/or use the bat signal.

[jocat54]

I would approach to reasonable distance and then loudly ask what was going on. Respond accordingly from there. Likely response might include calling 911, probably would not include any use of a weapon.

I visited my brother last Thanksgiving. One morning, he took me to play golf with my wife and his teenage daughter who has always been the most well behaved child I've ever known. We took separate vehicles, and when we both got there, it was clear that he had been in a disagreement with his daughter during the drive. He got out and told me that he needed to deal with her, and wouldn't be joining my wife and I for our round. About then, his daughter got out and started screaming at the top of her lungs that she hated him and that she wasn't getting back in the car, and she was calling her Mom to get her (along with calling her dad several words that are not allowed on this forum). He physically picked her up and put her back in the car while she was kicking and screaming. Turns out that her response was due to him telling her she couldn't see her older (by 2 years) boyfriend and the facat that he took away her cell phone. I should also say that I have never witnessed my brother commit any type of violence against anyone, even when we were kids. He is one of the most non-violent people I know.

That scene got a bit ugly, and to a third party it may well have looked like some type of an assault.

They were able to resolve their disagreement somehow, because they ended up joining us on the 9th hole and finishing the round with us.

I agree there can be circumstances, but to do nothing is wrong. It may be only calling 911 or asking what's going on or taking a picture, but doing nothing is just wrong. You would have to be there to decide---but do something--not just walk on.

I think you have answered correctly IMO.

[papajohn1964]

I would approach to reasonable distance and then loudly ask what was going on. Respond accordingly from there. Likely response might include calling 911, probably would not include any use of a weapon.

I visited my brother last Thanksgiving. One morning, he took me to play golf with my wife and his teenage daughter who has always been the most well behaved child I've ever known. We took separate vehicles, and when we both got there, it was clear that he had been in a disagreement with his daughter during the drive. He got out and told me that he needed to deal with her, and wouldn't be joining my wife and I for our round. About then, his daughter got out and started screaming at the top of her lungs that she hated him and that she wasn't getting back in the car, and she was calling her Mom to get her (along with calling her dad several words that are not allowed on this forum). He physically picked her up and put her back in the car while she was kicking and screaming. Turns out that her response was due to him telling her she couldn't see her older (by 2 years) boyfriend and the facat that he took away her cell phone. I should also say that I have never witnessed my brother commit any type of violence against anyone, even when we were kids. He is one of the most non-violent people I know.

That scene got a bit ugly, and to a third party it may well have looked like some type of an assault.

They were able to resolve their disagreement somehow, because they ended up joining us on the 9th hole and finishing the round with us.

The best answer yet IMHO. Thanks for all of the replies. I just don't think that I could just do nothing. I would call 911 and then yell at them and ask what is going on and let them decide the next step.

[Mach1]

# 1 kinda happened to me several years ago...before chl.

A car stopped at a stop sign right outside our office door. Secretary that sits in front of building yells at me that some guy in the car is hitting the girl driving the car.

Secretary calls 911 and I step out of building and walk toward car, yelling at the top of my lungs. Forturnately, the guy jumps out of the car and runs off. We bring the girl into the office -- she has blood all over her face, nose is broken. Officer comes and takes report..don't know if they every found her boyfriend that was doing the beating.

Could have turned out badly if he had a gun or knife. But, mans gotta do what a mans gotta do.

[sugar land dave]

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=601980#p601980 Postby Katygunnut » Thu Oct 13, 2011 1:15 pm

I would approach to reasonable distance and then loudly ask what was going on. Respond accordingly from there. Likely response might include calling 911, probably would not include any use of a weapon..

The best answer yet IMHO. Thanks for all of the replies. I just don't think that I could just do nothing. I would call 911 and then yell at them and ask what is going on and let them decide the next step.

Didn't I say this first?

http://texaschlforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=601958#p601958 Postby sugar land dave » Thu Oct 13, 2011 12:17 pm

My thoughts on this:

Husband-wife, father-daughter,carjacker-victim, victim-carjacker, victim-robber, shoplifter-store clerk, brother-sister. There are too many possibilities to do anything but to dial 911 and from a distance inquire what's going on. Related people should regain some semblance of composure. Bad guys will know the clock is ticking. If you do this be prepared to maintain distance and cover until police arrive.