Iraq War veteran charged in self defense - Newton, MA

[rtschl]

Story and video in link below. I saw this last night shared by the author on X (formerly Twitter). Of note, some 2A legal groups are trying to reach him and/or his family to provide legal assistance.

I know Massachusetts is anti gun, but they charged him fast. IMHO the attacker should be charged not the man who defended himself - even though the attacker does not appear armed, he likely would have done serious bodily injury if not stopped. Related to another topic here, the veteran starts to treat the man that attacked him.

... the man charges across the street through traffic and tackles Hayes, an Iraq War veteran, who was carrying an American flag during the protest. Seconds later, the gun was discharged and the man was shot in the stomach during their tussle on the ground, another video angle shows.

"Hayes is being charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and violation of a constitutional right causing injury, Middlesex County District Attorney Marian Ryan said. Ryan said the veteran had full legal possession of the gun, according to Boston 25 News.

https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusiv ... Position=3

[rtschl]

Adding this from ADL on X:

Have to concur - my first thoughts were how were the charges filed so quickly. I can attribute to anti-gun but cannot rule out anti-antisemitism. Though he is not Jewish, the veteran Scott Hayes is pro Israeli who marches carrying in support of Israel and hostages and routinely carries American and Israeli flags.

ADL is aware that an anti-Israel protestor was shot after charging across traffic and violently tackling a pro-Israel demonstrator to the ground in Newton, MA. Reports that charges were immediately filed prior to completion of the investigation are concerning. Protests should not subject anyone to violence. We encourage Newton Police and the Middlesex District Attorney to conduct a thorough investigation of the entire incident. We are concerned about escalating tensions and remain in contact with law enforcement and community officials.

https://x.com/ADL_NewEngland/status/1834443208719307223


Full thread from Kassi Akiva, the reporter who first posted on X:

https://x.com/KassyAkiva/status/1834398215333900487

[Grayling813]

There's a reason many refer to that state by dropping the letter "m" from the beginning.

[rtschl]

Seeing good traction and support on X from multiple groups. There's even a community note on the local news reporter's Tweet that claimed the perp "crosses street and confronts protesters". I love when X has Community Notes that correct bad information and reporting.

As to the people supporting him on X I have seen Pro 2A, Pro Israel, Pro rule of law, lawyers, conservative media, and other people and groups standing behind this vet. See update from Kassy Akiva who attended the arraignment:

They just arraigned Scott Hayes and are releasing him on a $5,000 bond.
They only charged him with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. They did not read the previous charge mentioned.
An application for a criminal complaint on the anti-Israel guy has been taken out.

The second charge that they didn’t read but announced last night is: violation of a constitutional right causing injury. Unclear if that means they dropped it. Waiting for more info.

They are also giving him a GPS and a curfew so he can work.

https://x.com/KassyAkiva/status/1834672939599573325

[Noggin]

I talked this over with my wife, we both agreed on one thing, if he had CS/pepper spray on his belt in addition to a firearm then he might have been in a stronger position, especially in a Liberal State.

Lets be clear I fully support all rights of self defence and normally open carry my pistol in condition one on my right hip. On my left hip is my spare mag and my combination CS/Pepper spray. Now I fully understand that deciding which is most appropriate in a given situation is highly subjective. Of course there will be lots of scenarios where from the time you become aware of a threat to getting the first shot on target needs to be less than 2 seconds. That said there are occasions where "words are not enough" but "bullets are too much", thus to borrow an old strategic military term having a flexible response option is a good idea.