Man takes knife off shelf and stabs Target shopper

[Keith B]

A man took a butcher knife from the housewares section of a Target store on Thursday night and stabbed a female shopper in the back, Dallas police said. It happened about 6:30 p.m. inside the Target at Loop 12 and Marsh Lane.

Antowann Davis, 30, apparently picked the woman at random and dropped the knife inside the store before fleeing, police said.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Target ... 15575.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[C-dub]

They say it was random, but if she's an attorney I'm sure they will start looking at her cases to see if there's a link. I'm certain if I were there and witnessed it this would be an incident I would have drawn on the guy. I can't say for sure that I would have immediately shot him unless he would have tried to stab her again or come after me, but I think one would be justified if they did shoot him after he stabbed her.

[Heartland Patriot]

They say it was random, but if she's an attorney I'm sure they will start looking at her cases to see if there's a link. I'm certain if I were there and witnessed it this would be an incident I would have drawn on the guy. I can't say for sure that I would have immediately shot him unless he would have tried to stab her again or come after me, but I think one would be justified if they did shoot him after he stabbed her.

It ain't paranoia if they really are out to get you...

[v-rog]

Another good reason to always carry!

[WildBill]

The lawyer is not a criminal defense lawyer. The suspect has been arrested several times prior to this incident. http://www.dallascounty.org/criminalBac ... e=ANTOWANN" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Oldgringo]

The lawyer is not a criminal defense lawyer. The suspect has been arrested several times prior to this incident. http://www.dallascounty.org/criminalBac ... e=ANTOWANN" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't help but wonder why Antowann was still roaming the streets if he'd been arrested several times prior? Does Texas not have a 'three strikes' law?

[Keith B]

"Oldgringo"]

The lawyer is not a criminal defense lawyer. The suspect has been arrested several times prior to this incident. http://www.dallascounty.org/criminalBac ... e=ANTOWANN" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I can't help but wonder why Antowann was still roaming the streets if he'd been arrested several times prior? Does Texas not have a 'three strikes' law?[/quote]

Yep, enacted in 1974. Here it is:

[quote=§ 12.42. PENALTIES FOR REPEAT AND HABITUAL FELONY OFFENDERS.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (c)(2), if it is shown on the trial of a felony offense other than a state jail felony punishable under Section 12.35(a) that the defendant has previously been finally convicted of two felony offenses, and the second previous felony conviction is for an offense that occurred subsequent to the first previous conviction having become final, on conviction he shall be punished by imprisonment in the institutional division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for life, or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 25 years.

EDIT TO ADD: I am not good at reading the dispositions, but looking at the cases in WildBill's link it appears he may have plead down one or two of his previous charges from felonies to misdemeanors and been given public service hours of work to do. That means he would not be a 3-striker since the final convictions were not felony convictions.

[pinkpistol]

I would have shot him. And probably paid a price, but there you are.

[jmra]

If given enough warning that I could have prevented the stabbing by shooting the guy, I would have taken the shot. If the attack had taken place before I had a chance to react and he had already dropped the knife, not sure I would attempt the shot. I think I would observe with firearm at ready position until he had vacated the area and then assist the injured in anyway I could until EMS arrived. And of course at the earliest opportunity I would write down any info I could remember in order to be a good witness.

[The Annoyed Man]

If given enough warning that I could have prevented the stabbing by shooting the guy, I would have taken the shot. If the attack had taken place before I had a chance to react and he had already dropped the knife, not sure I would attempt the shot. I think I would observe with firearm at ready position until he had vacated the area and then assist the injured in anyway I could until EMS arrived. And of course at the earliest opportunity I would write down any info I could remember in order to be a good witness.

If he had already dropped the knife, I'm not sure I'd draw my gun as it could just add to the general confusion. But other than that, I'd agree.

[knotquiteawake]

If given enough warning that I could have prevented the stabbing by shooting the guy, I would have taken the shot. If the attack had taken place before I had a chance to react and he had already dropped the knife, not sure I would attempt the shot. I think I would observe with firearm at ready position until he had vacated the area and then assist the injured in anyway I could until EMS arrived. And of course at the earliest opportunity I would write down any info I could remember in order to be a good witness.

If he had already dropped the knife, I'm not sure I'd draw my gun as it could just add to the general confusion. But other than that, I'd agree.

I put myself mentally into that situation when I first read the story yesterday and ended up thinking the same thing. What am I going to do if he just stabs me, leaves the knife in me, and walks away? Certainly can't shoot him in the back. I'd just have to let him walk, or shout for help and hope some other alert customers could grab him. I've got bigger problems to deal with.