"When NOT To Shoot" ???

[David]

Security Guard is arrested for firing "warning shot(s)":

http://www.beaufortgazette.com/local_news/briefs/story/2818333p-2604754c.html

Hilton Head Island security guard arrested early Saturday morning

Published Thu, Aug 28, 2003
HILTON HEAD ISLAND -- A Hilton Head Island security guard was arrested early Saturday morning after he fired a handgun into the air following a dispute with two bar patrons, according to a Beaufort County Sheriff's Office report.

Arsenol Martin, 30, of 137 Cordillo Parkway, who worked as a security guard at the Hilton Head Brewing Company, 7 Greenwood Drive, was charged with public disorderly conduct for firing at least one warning shot into the air while he chased two men who he said attacked him outside the brew pub, the report said.

Martin told deputies he was working security outside the brew pub at about 2 a.m. Saturday when a man came up behind him and struck him in the head with a metal object, the report said. After he was hit, Martin chased after the man who hit him and a second man who was running with him, he told the deputies. As he chased the men, Martin fired a warning shot into the air with his 9 mm handgun. Later, he said he may have fired two or three "warning shots."

Martin also told the deputies that he feared for his safety and that the men were trying to get his pistol from him, according to the report.

A witness told investigators that Martin had been hit with a pool cue case and, after giving chase, had fired "four or five rounds" toward the fleeing men.

 

[Standing Wolf]

...he fired a handgun into the air...

and

Later, he said he may have fired two or three "warning shots."

Something's wrong with this picture, and it looks like dishonesty.

If I ever have to fire a warning shot, you can bet your last nickel it'll be into the ground, not the air: bullets return to earth at very nearly the speed they left the barrel.

 

[CWL]

I don't doubt his story, just his training (or lack of).

Extremely common for people to lose count of bullets fired when under stress.

 

[Stinger]

bullets return to earth at very nearly the speed they left the barrel

Not quite. Terminal velocity vs. 2-3 times the speed of sound for rifles, somewhat less for handguns. But we get the point.

Stinger

 

[Hkmp5sd]

There is no such thing as "warning shots." You pull the trigger and a bullet leaves the barrel, you have used deadly force. Period. Chasing two guys while firing your gun is not self-defense. They should charge the guy with assault with a deadly weapon.

 

[C.R.Sam]

From the info given...
Looks like he dumbed himself out of a job and maby into jail.

Sam

 

[4v50 Gary]

Circumstances didn't warrant it and it was a

Bad shooting.

 

[brownie0486]

A perfect example of being a victim and then when the perp breaks off, becoming the assailant yourself.

It is not uncommon immediately after an attack on your person for stress and PTS, due to the mind perceiving imminent danger or death, to cause one to lose his ability to think clearly. Especially if the initial victim has not encounter this type of action against their person previously and consequently has no form of foundation from which to make objective decisions under such circumstances.

Training can and does go out the window quite frequently when you are actually into it for real. The less experience you have with this type of action the less you know how you will act when it happens.

He may or may not have had any training. He is certainly subject to charges.

It can not be reiterated enough that you don't know what you'll do if and when it happens if you haven't been there and done that previously [ and then, it can go either way as well ]. Training helps, but it requires much more than most training covers.

Brownie

 

[joyadecarolina]

what if the story ended...

... and in hearing the shots fired one of the men turned and drew his legally carried concealed pistol and shot the securiy guard dead.