Good guy-1, bad guy-.....still running?

[davemargx3]

Thursday night the wife, kids(3), and I were returning from a family night out and had to stop at the local gas station. As I was filling up I noticed a black male leaning on the wall of the station. As I watched him out of the corner of my eye, he started walking my way and starting yelling "them (expletive deleted) didn't put cream in my coffee".
As he approached I turned my strong side away from him and watch as he ranted. He then came toward me and stated "give me your money!" I advised him in a firm voice (while placing my hand on my weapon hidden under my unbuttoned outer shirt), to "WALK AWAY"
He stopped for a second but decided to continue. He took a step forward and was stating again to give him my money. By the time he finished the sentence and another half step later, my G32 was aimed at his head and I again stated "WALK AWAY!!!"
I guess he decided walking wasn't fast enough because he threw up his hands and took off running and yelling "Tis ain't right!" Over and over again.
I finished gassing up got back in the car (smiling), helped my wife close her agaped mouth, told the kids to stop laughing at the bad man and drove home and contacted Police.
Dispatcher stated "you didn't need to call you have the right to protect yourself." I advised I know this but, THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD ME TOOOOO.
He took the info of the suspect and Dallas Police found him about a half mile away still flippin out.

Perfect end to a perfect night.

[shootthesheet]

The guy had no visible weapon and you pulled on him? Then the LEO said you did fine and that you didn't have to report it. I would be afraid I would be thrown in jail for pulling my gun on a man who was asking for a hand-out. I think I would have put the gas nozzle up and left while I called a LEO. Maybe, I should consider not even taking my pepper spray the next time I am in Dallas since the LEOs understand who the good guys are.

Glad to see your first post was good news.

[Charles L. Cotton]

A visible weapon isn't a prerequisite to legally drawing on someone under those circumstances. In my view, the suspect's demeanor coupled with a demand for money and advancing on the man was plenty justification to draw, especially with his family in the car. Plus, TPC §9.04 would apply to this situation, providing additional grounds to threaten the use of deadly force.

Chas.

[davemargx3]

The guy had no visible weapon and you pulled on him? Then the LEO said you did fine and that you didn't have to report it. I would be afraid I would be thrown in jail for pulling my gun on a man who was asking for a hand-out. I think I would have put the gas nozzle up and left while I called a LEO. Maybe, I should consider not even taking my pepper spray the next time I am in Dallas since the LEOs understand who the good guys are.

Glad to see your first post was good news.

Reread pls. He stated"Give me your money!" Not "Do you have some money." Concidering he was ranting before this and his physical and mental demeanor gave me all the reason need by me and law to draw my weapon. Remember also my family was with me placing them in danger also.

Tx statue states-Reasonably in "fear" of death or grevious bodily harm. At least I didn't just draw and shoot him that would have cost $1.25 for the bullet.

Thanks

[Mike1951]

gun on a man who was asking for a hand-out.

"Hey Buddy, can you spare a few dollars?" is asking for a hand-out.

"Give me your money" is a robbery.

Ya done good!!

[lws380]

I think you did fine!

[AEA]

I bet the look on his face when you put the gun between his eyes was priceless!

Good Job!

[dukalmighty]

If more people would carry it would put more criminals out of work.It's a good thing he realised you spent all your money on bullets fer your glock

[tboesche]

"Hey Buddy, can you spare a few dollars?" is asking for a hand-out.

"Give me your money" is a robbery.

Ya done good!!

[M9FAN]

I bet the look on his face when you put the gun between his eyes was priceless!

Good Job!

+1

[lawrnk]

The guy had no visible weapon and you pulled on him? Then the LEO said you did fine and that you didn't have to report it. I would be afraid I would be thrown in jail for pulling my gun on a man who was asking for a hand-out. I think I would have put the gas nozzle up and left while I called a LEO. Maybe, I should consider not even taking my pepper spray the next time I am in Dallas since the LEOs understand who the good guys are.

Glad to see your first post was good news.

I would have drawn, no question.

[longhorn_92]

gun on a man who was asking for a hand-out.

"Hey Buddy, can you spare a few dollars?" is asking for a hand-out.

"Give me your money" is a robbery.

Ya done good!!

I agree 100%. A man who is ranting and then comes directly at you - "Give me your money" - is not asking.....He is demanding. I would have done the very same thing! You did right!

[austin]

I'd like to see the surveillance video!!

Good job on situational awareness.

[lawrnk]

First, I would have done the same thing. This does bring up legal concerns that could be discussed.

1. If no other witnesses existed (or if his family did not hear the man) would it not be one mans word against another? How do you explain the unarmed man being shot or killed?

2. Do you consider dialect and inflection for ones demand? Is "Give me some money" that different "give me your money?" At what point are pronouns important?

3. What about someone giving you simply a menacing look and advancing. Does one just warn and shoot?

I likely would have done the same as Dave, I just think many things could signifigantly have affected the outcome. If he continued, would you have shot? That, and if the only witnesses are family, family are not great witnesses. I once had disturbance, and the statement of my girlfriend was ignored since the detective said she was bias.

[shootthesheet]

I don't pull unless I am going to shoot. May be I have to but that is the idea.

I will not risk going to jail, if avoidable, because L.E. doesn't know or care about the law.

I avoid all potential situations when possible. The way I read the O.P. I saw an out when the nut started his approach. Yes, we know we can "stand our ground" and can even tell the arresting officer that when they are hauling us off to jail. If I know it is necessary I will pull and shoot. Otherwise, I am leaving and the clerks report can be matched with mine when we call 911. I have dealt with these people, both nuts and just bums. I stare them down or warn them away or leave. I do not let them near me if possible. They are not worth what my family and myself would have to deal with if I have to spend wasted money on a lawyer or shoot some mental defective or miss and hit an innocent. To many possibilities to pull just because it is legal.

That said, I wasn’t there. I don't know the amount of time the O.P. had. What I see as a viable escape time or avoidance situation, he and others may not. It is hard to tell from a post and maybe I should have given that as part of my post. I try to avoid if possible and shoot if necessary. No warning, no show of force, just avoid or stop the threat.

As an aside, can you prove he said, "Give me your money" and not "Give me some money"? Like was posted, if you are the only witness and end up shooting an unarmed, possibly retarded, possible military Vet with P.T.S.D. then how much of a nut is the guy? What about when the media starts in on how a poor innocent mentally challenged man was shot over a few dollars and the D.A. is thinking he can make his next big score on you? That is something to consider, not that the O.P. did anything wrong. Just a reminder of what reality possibly holds for one of us defending ourselves or another innocent.