coulda gone south in a hurry!

[tboesche]

Sunday, heading back from Cypress, we stop at a shell station off of 290 to get some drinks. After making the purchases I go to the car and put the bag in the front seat and then procede to lean on the concrete pillar at the front of the store. My back on the pillar watching the front of the store as my wife and daughter are still inside at the rest room.

Suddenly I get punched in the right shoulder. Not a combat punch but more like when you punch somebody you know plus a little. Before I even have a chance to react the "gentleman" is a couple steps past me, now between me and the door. Couple inches taller maybe 20lbs heavier, shirtless covered in sweat.

He stops and turns around and puts his right hand out as if offering to shake but does not say a word. I stare at him thru my sunglasses and say, "keep moving". He looks at me for a second and says, "Shake that....". Sounds a little inebriated. Again I say, "Keep moving". Still leaning against the pillar with really no where to go, I let my right hand drop down to where my 1911 is but never touch the gun.

Still holding his hand out he says, "I'll hurt you if you don't shake" Now I stand straight up and stare him straight in the eye and reply "NO, you wont". At this point my mind is racing, wondering where this is going to lead. A couple seconds that seemed like an eternity pass and this pillar of civilization turns and walks into the store right as my wife and daughter are exiting. I tell them to get in the car "now". We get in and get back on the highway.

My wife said she saw something going on so she rushed my daughter out of the store. I told her that if she ever sees me in any kind of confrontation with anybody to stay away and let me handle it and to call the cops if it goes south.

Though I never had a chance to call the cops during the event as it happened pretty quickly, I do think that there were two instance that warranted calling them as I was both physically assaulted and verbally threatend. However, at the time I was more concerned with putting some distance between us and him.

Looking back on it he may have thought I was somebody else when he punched my shoulder, and his "offer" to shake was his way of an apology. But still there was absolutely no way I was about to let this guys get hold of me, even if it was just a handshake.

The rest of the trip home was uneventful

[shortysboy09]

Very good idea to not shake his hand. You never know what he was planning if he got a hold of your hand...

Sounds like the guy had some alcohol in him and was looking to fight someone. He probably left the confrontation with you and started one with someone else. Very good you kept calm and the event didn't go to the next stage.

[Dan20703]

Glad it all turned out okay.

That friendly punch could have been a full forced blow to the side of your head. Always be aware of the surroundings. He caught you off guard that time.

[Bennies]

Good job on not shaking his hand. As much distance as possible between you and a would be attacker is a good thing. Good job on keeping your cool after the punch. I would have probably called the cops though after leaving to a safer location. Sounds like the guy was looking for trouble and he did assualt you. I agree he might find it with someone else and it could get ugly. He should not be walking around in a state of
mind like that.

[karder]

Sounds like you handled it great. Odds are the guy was not mentally well. Further interaction such and shaking his hand and conversing with him would probably not have been wise. Stay cool and leave. That seems to have been the smartest choice.