I honestly hate to Monday Morning QB a hero's actions (really, i do. brave guy. i wish more folks would stand up to bullies / criminals instead of rolling over, etc). I can't actually read the story now because the link is broken, but it's sounding like the good guy may have gotten into a verbal situation with the bad guy or even warned him to lay it down.
IF that is the case that's a BAD tactical decision IMO.
The Most Deadly Knife is the Unseen One (Drow handbook, AD&D 2nd edition). I see no reason to warn the bad guy he is about to suffer the consequences of his illegal actions earlier than he had anticipated. IMO, most of these situations should play out in this manner.
Bad guy: This is a robbery. Everyone get their hands....
Good Guy: Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Stop or I'll Reload!
(sorry, i just love that joke)
Do NOT warn your attacker you're about to resist. Often times the most effective part of your tactic is violence of action and the sheer surprise that it's happening in the first place. Once an attack as begun (in the scenario described here in the BK robbery) one should appear to be relatively docile and compliant and a non-threat in general until the opportunity arises to flip the tables. At that point the bad guy should never have seen it coming. I want the attacker to wake up in the hospital and ask "what happened?"
However, a different scenario might obviously call for a different tactic. In a home invasion scenario I likely wouldn't take the time to appear to be docile / non-threatening. I would likely turn the heat up immediately, but I would make effort to try and make sure they don't see or hear me coming earlier than I want.
In small unit tactics sheer surprise may totally invert numerical superiority
- Jeff Cooper
Then if one day evil does at last arrive you will remember the watchwords - Initiative, Surprise, SPEED. You'll have a better chance than most.
- Jeff Cooper
It's difficult to have surprise if they know you're coming and they know you're a threat.
Major kudos to the guy for standing up to the stone of evil though. Anyone know how to track down the guy's email address or mailing address? I'd love to send him a card / note of support.
Evil is the stone on which the sword of Good is sharpened.
-Anon.