8 Grocery Employees Stabbed in Tennessee

[Lodge2004]

Great article except for the closing comment by the Memphis Police officer. It would have been much better if he gave something along the line of..."All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)


http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/07/21/D8J0MBOG2.html


MEMPHIS, Tenn.


A knife-wielding grocery store employee attacked eight co-workers Friday, seriously injuring five before a witness pulled a gun and stopped him, police said.

The 21-year-old suspect, whose name was withheld pending charges, was arrested and then taken to a hospital after complaining of chest pains, Memphis Police Sgt. Vince Higgins said. The attack apparently stemmed from a work dispute, police said.

Five victims, one in critical condition, were admitted to the Regional Medical Center, the main trauma hospital for the Memphis area. Three others were less badly hurt and treated at another hospital.

The attacker, chasing one victim into the store's parking lot, was subdued by Chris Cope, manager of a financial services office in the same small shopping center, Higgins said.

Cope said he grabbed a 9mm semiautomatic pistol from his pickup truck when he saw the attacker chasing the victim "like something in a serial killer movie."

"When he turned around and saw my pistol, he threw the knife away, put his hands up and got on the ground," Cope told The Associated Press. "He saw my gun and that was pretty much it."

Police arrived within minutes and took the attacker into custody.

"He just kept saying, 'I'm insane. I wish I was never born' and that kind of stuff," Cope said.

The attack started in an employee area of the Schnucks supermarket on the outskirts of Memphis and no customers were involved, Higgins said.

Police said two large kitchen knives used in the attack were found at the scene.

Witness Frank Rector said the attacker held a knife high in a stabbing position as he chased a victim into the parking lot. The victim, Rector said, "was circling, trying to get away from him."

The ages of the victims were not immediately released. Higgins and a company spokeswoman said all the victims were employees of the store.

The spokeswoman said officials from the St. Louis-based company were on their way to the scene.

Higgins said police were pulling into the parking lot as Cope was confronting the attacker.

"We commend him," Higgins said. "But we don't encourage people to take that kind of risk. He could have been hurt."

[HighVelocity]

"We commend him," Higgins said. "But we don't encourage people to take that kind of risk. He could have been hurt."

Of course, Mr. Higgins would rather we stand around and watch people get stabbed by a psycho with a butcher knife.


When can we stop getting the "disclaimer" at the end of every report that involves a citizen getting involved?

[cyphur]

When police cease to be afraid of citizens who take responsibility for their own safety and arm themselves. Frighten police, armed citizens do. They never stop to think we're just as competent(or moreso) then they are.

[flintknapper]

Police arrived within minutes and took the attacker into custody.

Every year I host at least one training session at my property where I normally shoot. The purpose of this is to provide access to a facility where those invited can practice dynamic responses to certain threat scenarios.

I always begin the session with a demonstration of why it is important for each person to accept responsibility for their own safety, and not to simply "leave it up to the police".

About 10 years ago when I started this...I called the Chief of Police in the small college town (pop. 40,000 with students) that I live near...and asked him a very pointed question.

That question was: "On average...what would you consider a good response time to a high priority call such as (Man with a gun, Robbery in progress, Officer needs assistance)".

His candid answer surprised me a bit: (paraphrasing) He said.. Assuming an officer was available to respond immediately, that he would not expect them to arrive at the scene in less than 3 minutes from the time the call was dispatched (on average). Further, he stated that depending upon the nature of the call, an officer might not take any action until back-up arrived...or until the situation could be accurately assessed.

What he told me was not "surprising", but the fact that he was so honest about it was. I have to admire that.

After explaining this to my participants, I place a 3 minute timer (Sand glass) where they can see it and turn it upside down.

I then take a rubber training knife and cut or stab (simulated) at least 6-8 of them before I walk down range, pick up my pistol, double tap two steel humanoid targets, walk over to a barrel..kneel down, and shoot three pepper poppers.

I then walk back up to the crowd, sit down, open up a coke, drink at least half of it and ask "are the cops here yet"? I will still have time left on the (Sand glass).

Its an eye opener.

I want to be very clear about something, and that is my respect and admiration for most LEO. They put their lives on the line for you and me everyday. I have no doubt that in time of trouble... they will do all that they can to help (once they get there)!

But, we must be realistic about what kind of damage and mayhem can take place in "just a few minutes" by a determined predator.

That is why I advocate every person do what they reasonably can.. to protect themselves if put in a position where they can not retreat.

The story above is an excellent example of how fast things can go wrong, and what it takes to stop it.

Thank you for posting it.


Flint.

[Charles L. Cotton]

Flint:
That's a great demonstration; so good I may have to steal it and use it in my next class.

Thanks,
Chas.

[flintknapper]

Charles,


Please feel free to do so.

Heres just one place you can buy an "egg timer". My wife donated hers (unbeknownst to her though). I'm pretty sure she thinks she lost it in our last move.

Hope she doesn't read this. I hate to think what an enraged wife could do in three minutes.


http://www.delpozzo.com/hourglasses/3mbrasswc.htm

[HighVelocity]

what an enraged wife could do in three minutes

News at 11

[flintknapper]

what an enraged wife could do in three minutes

News at 11

Yeah,

Caution: The following may contain scenes of carnage and violence not suitable for children.

[jbirds1210]

Man critically injured with egg timer in a sock!