Reason to keep gun on your person, not in car.

[charlie]

A woman was stabbed to death in Houston during a car jacking. The news last night showed security camera footage of her getting out of her vehicle to run in to a phone store to pay a bill. A car pulled up and a guy jumps out to take her keys. Her baby was inside her vehicle so she resisted and was stabbed.

If only she had a pistol in her belt, she might have survived. It looked like she got out of the driver's side and went around to the passenger side to get her baby when a car suddenly appeared carrying the thug and his driver.

It shows how quickly things can happen. Even if you see no suspicious characters standing outside or inside a business, you need to be aware of the possibility that a car can pull in from the street and thugs can jump out and assult you.

[StrykerDM]

wow...poor kid...

[fm2]

I saw that video this AM. I didn't know what kind of store it was. The BG's had the timing down, looked like about 5 sec. from the go time til it was over. Pretty sad and a high price to bay for being caught in white.

[rl168]

She was going to a Cricket phone store to pay her bill. I saw it on the news last night, she went after the guy after he took her keys because her baby is still in the car. I can't believe people taking a human life over a vehicle, it's sad.

[stevie_d_64]

She was going to a Cricket phone store to pay her bill. I saw it on the news last night, she went after the guy after he took her keys because her baby is still in the car. I can't believe people taking a human life over a vehicle, it's sad.

Unfortunately, it stands a good chance of getting worse...

So, what are the lessons we can learn from this, and how can we apply any risk reduction to keep ourselves from losing control of our surrounding environment???

I have a couple of ideas, but I'd like to see what others think about this first...

[nedmoore]

Lessons learned, do not go to places like Cricket to pay a cell phone bill, Also, stay away from payday loan places, and tejano bars at 4:00 a.m. Just be aware of your surroundings and the people around you. Unfortunately this is a sign of the times.

[Briankey]

Exactly, But the other sad thing is, Those in the Media don't dare mention during a Newscast the same thing you mentioned..

Brian

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If only she had a pistol in her belt, she might have survived.

[nedmoore]

Why is that?

[03Lightningrocks]

If a CHL holder happened to see that situation developing and hopped out of his/her car and shot the BG down, what kind of problems would the CHL holder have to deal with?

[Briankey]

Because I believe the media is very Left-wing.

I just feel there are far too many stories about the Firearm being the bad guy, how guns are to blame for killing too many children, instead of saying how it was the idiot pulling the trigger that killed them, and not enough about how it was used to save peoples Lives from thugs,I don't hear a lot of Positive stories from the media concerning guns indicating to me the media is slanting towards the anti-gun folks to help legitimize their issues.
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Why is that?

[fm2]

Unfortunately, it stands a good chance of getting worse...

So, what are the lessons we can learn from this, and how can we apply any risk reduction to keep ourselves from losing control of our surrounding environment???

I have a couple of ideas, but I'd like to see what others think about this first...

Awareness may allow you to see/hear/feel if you have been selected by the BG. In this case the BG made a direct move toward the victim. You gotta protect your back. You need to have a plan. You need to execute/adapt the plan.

Awareness- Keeps us from being surprised
Helps prevent Survival Stress onset
Buys us time
Time to make a plan
Allows us to use our training

Danger signs:
1. Visual
2. Auditory
3. Intuitive
4. Situational

Be aware of the 4 deadly deeds
1) Denial ( why me)
2) Deferring ( call for help)
3) Daydreaming
4) Distraction

[seamusTX]

I agree that retail stores in strip malls near busy roads are a higher-risk situation, but this incident could have happened anywhere.

The location was Uvalde and Wallisville Road in northeast Houston, two busy roads and close to major highways. I don't spend much time around there, but it is not a "bad" neighborhood.

The criminal who killed this woman has been caught. He and accomplices committed at least one successful carjacking a day or two earlier and were driving a stolen car when they killed the woman. They are suspected in other crimes all over Houston.

My guess is that they just drove around looking for a vulnerable victim in an easy-escape situation. This poor woman was just the unluckiest person in east Texas that day.

Putting babies into vehicles or taking them out is a difficult situation to defend. You have to bend over into the vehicle and can't watch your surroundings as well as you should. You can't drop the kid in an emergency. The situation is the same for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility impairments.

I think the number one defense is to travel with another armed adult when transporting babies or children. Obviously that is not possible at all times, but it's the best practice that I can think of. If your spouse can't be there, perhaps one of your parents, an in-law, or a friend.

Another is to park in places where you are visible to store employees or the public, and criminals cannot make a quick escape.

Most people can reduce the number of trips that they make to retail stores and banks. I buy a lot via the Internet (including my cell phone), get it delivered, pay lower prices in many cases, and save gas. I've been to the bank twice this year, and that's more than average for me.

- Jim
[Edited to correct typo]

[smyrna]

A woman was stabbed to death in Houston during a car jacking. The news last night showed security camera footage of her getting out of her vehicle to run in to a phone store to pay a bill. A car pulled up and a guy jumps out to take her keys. Her baby was inside her vehicle so she resisted and was stabbed.

I saw this video and all I can say is it is chilling. The woman was acting instictively as any mother would and died for her efforts. God rest her soul in peace.

As for the perp, what a loser! He could have overpowered her easily with any level of physical force and he chose to stab her and take her life. I hope he finds a special place in Huntsville or even a special intravenous cocktail.

If only she had a pistol in her belt, she might have survived. It looked like she got out of the driver's side and went around to the passenger side to get her baby when a car suddenly appeared carrying the thug and his driver.

A big lesson here is the lethality of knives. One stab or slice to the right area and you're going to bleed out, pistol or no pistol. Sure, she could have survived if she had taken the guy on early (assuming she had been armed), but when the knife comes out, survivability goes down...WAY down.

[dac1842]

One poster asked what would have happend had a CHL been nearby and shot the BG? The police would have bought you a steak dinner. Remember the use of deadly force is authorized in defense of third person when that person's life is in immenent danger.
Now the original post was reason to keep your gun on your person not in the car. This is true. Also, and I am probably repeating what has been said already, you have to be aware of your surroundings, and not let anyone you dont know within 3-5 feet of you. On the video the suspect exited his vehicle and approached her quickly and aggressively. You should recognize that as an aggressive act and at minimum retreat and announce to get away get away! If that doesnt work or if at that point you recognize he has a weapon it is time to save the taxpayer a ton of money.
Situational awareness is key. Having been in LE for 15 years, (ex cop) I never exit the car until I have taken in the surroundings, I make eye contact with everyone that approaches me and I watch the hands not the face, I never enter a retail outlet without first looking inside and taking in who is in there, after entering I watch who comes in, what is their actions?
It would be neat if an advanced course on survival techinques were offered to CHL holders. hmmm perhaps a business idea>??! Anyway, the short message to long one, stay alert!

[glock23]

I found out last night that it turns out that the lady who was killed was my brother in laws cousin. Their family is devistated as we would imagine. She has a total of 5 children left behind by this murder. I heard that the killer was caught but that's all I've heard up to this point. My Mother in law is taking it pretty hard and now says she wants to get her chl asap. Always remain aware! It happens fast!