Flasb mob cleaning up a store beating a clerk (DALLAS)

[fishman]

Where is the black community standing up against this. They condone it with their silence. There would be war cries of racist violence if the clerk had defended himself. THe black community complains that there is little development in south Dallas. This is why.

This is a chance for the black community to stand up and stop something that hurts their people as well as others. It's time to stop turning your head and face the problems. I believe it starts at home and goes all the way to the law makers.

[nakedbike]

Technically, the flash mob are engaged in mass multi-actors shoplifting and stealing property, not robbery, like "hands up, this is a stick-up, give me your money, cell phone, etc or I will shoot you..." A better term is looting. Any laws that that justify deadly force against "looting" in daylight?

"In the process of them walking out, tried to stop a student with a lot of things in his hands and when I tried to do that, he shoved me out into the parking lot and swung at me," Thomas said.
Thomas then says several men then pulled him to the ground and started kicking and punching him.

At that moment is when deadly force may have been justified. Preventing me from fleeing from multi actors would put the fear for my life in me. Would that be when it turned into aggravated assault/robbery?

[philip964]

But it wasn't. However, if the races were flip-flopped -- and the white community was silent -- then it would be equally shameful.

OP is correct -- and did not make a racist statement.

From what I have seen on TV, Caucasian flash mobs just seem to dance.

[bluejay71]

Dave2, I think you have the motivation you need to lose those few extra pounds? "Hmmm, if I eat this cupcake, I won't be able to defend myself against a flash mob."

But what would have been the right thing to do here? The moment he realized things were getting out of control, call 911? Definitely stay behind the counter and defend from there? Retreat to a back room (if available)? Thank goodness for those 2 girls that pulled him to safety.

And yall are right. It begins at home. I hope the grandmas that are raising these kids watch that video and beat 'em some rear. But we know it won't happen.

[chasfm11]

At that moment is when deadly force may have been justified. Preventing me from fleeing from multi actors would put the fear for my life in me. Would that be when it turned into aggravated assault/robbery?

I would worry about the clerks actions of trying to close up the store being interpreted in a court setting as provocation. I can just here an attorney describe about how one of the shoplifters was in fear of their life when the doors were pulled closed.

It would be a different matter if the gang had simply grabbed the clerk without any action that could be considered provocation.

[bayouhazard]

Where is the black community standing up against this. They condone it with their silence. There would be war cries of racist violence if the clerk had defended himself. THe black community complains that there is little development in south Dallas. This is why.

Just imagine if the mob was nothing but whites and the clerk was black or any other color.

Quannelle Ten and fellow travelers would be calling it a "hate crime" if that happened.

[Medic218]

MedicMan218 wrote:

how many extra rounds do you have on hand when you're just out and about?
Personally, at most I have 33 rounds on me when I'm out running around.
There were more than 33 people there and as bad as it sounds being a good witness might be the best thing for you and your health in the particular situation.

Yes, but the smart money says there won't be...once the shooting starts!

Maybe, but I'm also willing to bet that those in the crowd that had their own pistols would have fired back at you.....and I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if there were more than one or two packing in that crowd.
One on how many? If is more than one on one I don't always like my chances.
Then again, all they even have to do is wing you and then the "Mob Mentality" sets in and you get stomped to death by everyone out there.
Did you happen to notice how it started out as the clerk against one other guy but as soon as the others smelled the blood in the water they joined in on the savage beating?
Thinking about it kind of reminds me of the teenager that was beat to death in a street fight(by only about 4 guys with wooden planks), videoed and posted on YouTube.

I stand by my comment that being a good witness would have been the best thing for my well being if I found myself close enough to choose if I wanted to get involved or not in this particular situation.
I don't want to see anyone innocent get harmed and I would love to be able to help if its within my power but at the end of the day I'm the only one that has to make it home to my family....not you or anyone else, just me.

The long of the short of it is I just don't see how getting the middle of this, no matter how many rounds you have on your person, could possibly work out for the best when you're going up against that many easily enrageable people.

[fulano]

Animal behavior warrants animal control techniques. The clerk should use a few canisters of bear spray in order to keep order.

[Medic218]

Animal behavior warrants animal control techniques. The clerk should use a few canisters of bear spray in order to keep order.

Or aim the slurpee nozzle at em.....work with what ya got right? lol

[philip964]

Seems to me, if you were in the store you move away and draw your Iphone if you dare.

Seems to me it would be difficult to keep your weapon in your control and you might just as easily get shot with it.

That poor kid was inside a tornado once he was outside the store.

[Keith B]

OK folks, drop the race comments. This was not a racially motivated event. It was just a gang of teens that mobbed the place and went wild. This could be any where with any ethnicity when you get a bunch of fired-up people in a large gang.

[schufflerbot]

this is a sad example of how rebellious youth are learning the system... in particular, what a store clerk/police officer/teacher/principal/etc... can and, more importantly, cannot do in a situation like this. they've found ways to exploit the laws set in place to protect them and this has allowed them to get away with stuff like this.

disgusting, pathetic wastes of flesh... this is the result of poor, or no, parenting.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

Technically, the flash mob are engaged in mass multi-actors shoplifting and stealing property, not robbery, like "hands up, this is a stick-up, give me your money, cell phone, etc or I will shoot you..." A better term is looting. Any laws that that justify deadly force against "looting" in daylight?

What do you think they were doing? As soon as they beat the clerk it was robbery.

(a) A person commits an offense if, in the course of committing theft as defined in Chapter 31 and with intent to obtain or maintain control of the property, he:
(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens or places another in fear of imminent bodily injury or death.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree.

All a "Flash Mob" has to do is threaten someone in there and it's robbery. The sheer number of people places one in fear of imminent bodily injury. It does not say anywhere in 29.02 that the threat or injury must be done in order to obtain the property.

[The Annoyed Man]

We should have a new law clearly justifying the use of deadly force against flash mob robberies/theft of property in daylight.
Maybe it would be a deterrence. As I see it now, one can't use deadly force against flash mob cleaning up a store, not until the clerk is attacked, deadly force is not justified.

However, you are allowed to use deadly force in defense of property. It may or may not be the wise thing to do, but it is legal. And I am of the opinion (fully recognizing that the DA may not hold the same opinion) that if you bum-rush my store, and I physically try and stop the theft, and you attack me for trying to intervene, then I am within my rights to defend myself.

[DONT TREAD ON ME]

But it wasn't. However, if the races were flip-flopped -- and the white community was silent -- then it would be equally shameful.

OP is correct -- and did not make a racist statement.

Nobody said that the OP said anything racist. Noting we are saying is racist. Just truthful.

If you watch the video it is very clear that the mob was black and the clerk was white.

We are simply wondering why the black community has not spoken out against these "Flash Mobs". I have yet to see a white violent "Flash Mob". And stated that had the clerk defended himself or the roles been reversed the black community would be crying foul.

Their silence on this speaks volumes.