Watch Your Six...

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Fred Fuller

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Store surveillance video showed James Martin being stalked and shot multiple times from behind with no apparent warning as he returned to his truck in the Wal-Mart parking lot.

This young man was the husband of my aunt's neice on her side of the family, he was not a direct relation but I know how devastated the family is at his loss.

Millbrook, AL is about as quiet as a town can be, but no place is really safe these days. Be careful, wherever you are...

lpl/nc

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http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007709010356

September 1, 2007
Widow grieves for slain husband
By Marty Roney

WETUMPKA, AL -- Why? That's all Kelsey Martin wants to know. Why her husband?

The widow kept asking the question over and over Friday after the two Montgomery men suspected of killing James Bryan Martin appeared in Elmore County District Court to face capital murder charges.

Rondarrell Terrell Williams, 28, and Calvin McMillan, 18, are accused of shooting the Holtville father of two in the back of the head Wednesday night as he was getting into his pickup parked just outside the front door of the Wal-Mart in Millbrook.

Williams and McMillan apparently wanted Martin's burgundy Ford F-150 pickup, according to Randall Houston, district attorney for Autauga, Elmore and Chilton counties.

"He would have given them his truck," said Kelsey Martin, 22. "He would have given them his money. He would have done anything to come home to us."

Martin, 23, had stopped at the discount store after a Biscuits baseball game to buy a bag of dog food and a package of disposable diapers.

Whoever killed Martin should have known he was a family man by what he bought, insisted his mother-in-law, Lori Driscoll.

"They saw what he was carrying," Driscoll said in a voice shaky with tears. "They knew he had babies at home."

In court, Houston told District Judge Glenn Goggans that Williams followed Martin into the store and stalked him. McMillan is the suspected gunman.

The prosecutor explained he filed two counts against each man because the killing happened during a robbery and a vehicle theft. Alabama law allows Williams to be charged with a capital offense since he actively participated in the crime.

Houston is seeking the death penalty.

"You don't come into Elmore County and kill a young father of two young children and get away without facing the death penalty," he said. "My job is to ensure a quick, fair trial and then a ride on that long, black train."

Williams and McMillan don't have legal counsel. They are being held without bond in the Millbrook City Jail.

Montgomery officers took the suspects into custody Thursday after a four-hour manhunt near Montgomery Mall. The search started after police spotted the pickup on East South Boulevard.

The close-knit community of Holtville, near Lake Jordan, was asking the same question as Kelsey Martin: Why Bryan?

"It's really hit this little town hard," said Beth Simmons. "This is something that happens in Atlanta or some other far-away place. I mean, I've been to that Wal-Mart dozens of times. I've gone there at night and thought nothing about it. This murder has taken away our sense of innocence."

The Martins had gone to Holtville High School together. He played football, and she was a cheerleader. He proposed the night of her senior prom.

They married shortly after she graduated and had two children. Landen James recently turned 2, and daughter Tatum Grace is just 3 months old.

Martin went to work for aircraft parts maker Kelly Aerospace right after high school and worked his way up to quality control supervisor.

He enjoyed sports in his off time and loved the Crimson Tide.

Martin had gone to the Biscuits game Wednesday night with friends from work. The couple had supper together and he helped her bathe their children before leaving for the game. Then, he stopped at Wal-Mart.

"He called me after the game was over, and asked if we needed anything," Kelsey Martin said. "He was a good person, and a loving father. He never got into trouble, he never even got a traffic ticket. He helped everybody. I just don't know why this happened."
-------------

Other stories:

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007709010312

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770831019

http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200770831020
 
Sorry for your loss . . .

All I can say is wow . . .what a horrible thing . . .I sure hope those two rot in hell.
 
Unbelievable the disregard for human life, and how taking a life will affect others.
These scumbags deserve to be cut up into tiny little pieces...very slowly...with some meth injected into them so they stay awake for the whole thing.:fire:
 
There should be a story out soon with mug shots and excuses/defenses.

At least they are both being charged with a capital offense instead of just the triggerman. Common Law was okay, but modern law has its advantages.

Sure enough though. This is a great reminder to watch your six. There are a lot of places to get the drop on someone in a parking lot filled with cars.

Poor guy. I really feel for the immediate family. This must be really tough.

I'm eager to hear some dialogue from the perps as to why they shot him.
 
The transition areas, those places where you're going from the door to the car, from the parking garage to the office, etc. are the places where you are most at risk. Predators plan on this and take advantage of our minds being distracted by fumbling with keys, reading email and just thinking about getting home/to work. To protect ourselves we need to keep our minds on our safety until we get through those transition areas and are safer indoors or in our vehicle.

So what do we do from a practical standpoint if going to or from the store and our car?

Should we use a cart that we can turn loose or use as a barrier between us and our assailants? Do we position the cart so that it acts as a barrier while we load? What about it blocking our path of escape?

Should we do a look around of our vehicle as we approach to ensure we don't have anyone hiding at the rear end in the shadows.

Do we park under a light even if it means parking twice as far away?

Do we park in the emergency/fire lane if we know we're just ducking in for a known item in an known location in the store?

Do we ask the courtesy clerk to make sure we get to the car with a big load of goods if it's late at night so that we don't get ambushed while loading all that up in the dark?

Do we schedule our trips so that we only shop in the daylight?

Let's hear some more ideas.
 
Very sorry to hear of the lose.

It puts me to mind of why people should take Tactical Shooting and Advanced Tactical Shooting courses. We ALL need to learn how to scan consistently, and how to shoot while we scoot to cover if need be.
 
“Houston is seeking the death penalty.” I hope justice is served swiftly and without mercy.

I offer my condolences for the family, it is hard to imagine what their going through.

May god be with you.

Josh
 
First and most importantly, I'd like to offer my condolances to your family.

Secondly, when you go out in public, it's usually assumed you're carrying cash or cards. Keep your head on a swivel.
 
“Houston is seeking the death penalty.” I hope justice is served swiftly and without mercy.
Click to expand...

It will be merciful...put down the rabid dogs...put them out of their own misery. Society will be better for it.
 
It's sad to say, but one of the best protections may be to appear to have nothing that anyone would want. In this case, had the young man been driving a 1989 Toyota pickup with many work miles, they would have probably moved on to another more enticing target.
 
It's sad to say, but one of the best protections may be to appear to have nothing that anyone would want. In this case, had the young man been driving a 1989 Toyota pickup with many work miles, they would have probably moved on to another more enticing target.
Click to expand...

While true. Why should a hard working individual have to live crappy because scumbags out there want their nicer stuff.


As for the topic.

For starters. Anytime I go to Wal-Mart or any big store at night. If I can't find a parking space directly in front of the Doors. I would rather park farther away where there are NO cars around me and I'm under a light. At least this way I can see what is within 50 yards around my truck. Secondly, no lie but I will actually pause when I leave a store and just do a quick scan of the parking lot and make sure no thugs are in the path to my truck.
 
Don't shop at Walmart if you can help it, especially not at night. Their parking lots are notorious for having crimes committed in them.

Realize that any shopping done after sundown is far more likely to draw attention from criminals, as they have an advantage in the dark of parking lots. Most do not have all their lights working, and the ones that do are not all that bright. Look for places that are very well lit and have a decent amount of traffic coming and going. Helps deter those loitering, waiting for a target.

Bring a buddy along if you can and have them wait in the car with it running at the front door to pick you up when you come out. Failing that, make sure you can see all around your car and carry a small flashlight with you, look around your car and even underneath just to be sure.
 
I shop at walmart after dark all the time (hell, sometimes its 2 or 3 in the morning). My town must be fairly quiet, though, because I've never seen anything suspicious in the parking lots, and believe me I check.
 
my hometown has a very low crime rate. average income is about 60k. avg house prices are 550k. in my last year living there, one college student was shot at a bus stop, a father was stabbed with a pen and died, and a naked woman was found strangled in the trunk of a car in a mervyn's parking lot.

this can happen anywhere. the key is to manage your threats.

1. dont go to atms at night. dont even think about going to atms that are in dark corners (like the rear of banks)

2. keep your gas tank full.

3. allow room for your car to escape at all times.

4. have a plan for evasion whenever you are forced to enter a high risk area.
 
watching your six

Working graveyard I am always up when most are sleeping.
I like shopping at walmart at that time because it isn't crowded.
I try to park in a well lit place most of the time.
My truck is old, battered and I put trash in the back instead of
finding dumpsters...no one wants to steal my truck.

Yet stuff happens, no one can predict the thug mind, cunning and stupid at the same time.

allow room for your car to escape at all times.
Click to expand...
Amen.

Prayers for you and yours.
 
Since every parking lot, evry store, etc., is different, and being a normal (e.g., lazy) human being, I have distilled my practices to the basics. Upon arrival, I observe carefully who is about, any suspicious "loungers," anyone paying close attention to me (I ain't attractive enough to merit a second glance), etc. I park wherever, but check for anyone in my immediate vicinity while parking.

Walking into the business, keep the radar active. Look for undue scrutiny, someone tracking or paralleling my own course, someone walking to, but not into, the store, etc.

Inside, more of the same; anyone seeming to constantly be in the same area I'm in, browsing with no real or apparent interest in what he's looking at, etc.

Leaving, same ol' same ol'; anyone waiting outside, starting to move in the same direction, anyone exiting the store simultaneously (especially without purchases in hand), anyone lounging near my vehicle.

All this is second nature; I'm an avid people-watcher, anyway (source of lots of amusement).

Now, in the event of a "hit," or someone who triggers my internal alarm:
- If I'm still near the store, I'll "remember" something else I need, do an about face & reenter; that should throw any "watcher" off stride, & make him (or her) blatantly obvious.
-During the trek, I will have my hand wrapped around my M642, in my pocket. As the alarm level rises, it will travel (surreptitiously) out of pocket & behind whatever I have in my other hand. Stay close to cover; maybe take a detour, to validate my concerns.

If all other efforts fail . . . Move off the X and engage as circumstances dictate.
 
my thoughts are with the family of the deceased.

that said, I hate to see this turn into a discussion of "what could prevent this?" Nothing. Just like the maryland sniper was a thug with a rifle, these were thugs with a pistol. No doubt about it, these Godless souless thugs have no value for human life and made it to the ages of 18 and 28 without society taking note and locking them away. I am very glad that this happened in Texas, because they actually do execute the worst of the worst. There is no honor among thugs, we need to lead with an example.

The only bad thing about Texas, they don't draw and quarter inmates.
 
Lee,

Thanks for posting this.

It serves as a reminder to us all. We may all have stress and other things on our mind. But always watch your six.

I've gotten relaxed lately about personal safety. This definitely hits me hard.

John
 
Response to all the comments

Apparently this member has not read the forum rules he agreed to when he signed up as a member. Byron Quick
 
Meg,

Welcome to the High Road.

You make some good points, but I would appreciate you editing your post to clean up your language.

Per the THR rules that you agreed to when joining this site:
3.) As a family-friendly board, we ask that you keep your language clean. If you wouldn't say it in front of your dear old Grandma, you probably don't want to say it here.
Click to expand...

You can make your arguments without using foul language.

Thanks in advance, and again, welcome to the High Road.
 
Thanks for posting this.

It serves as a reminder to us all. We may all have stress and other things on our mind. But always watch your six.

I've gotten relaxed lately about personal safety. This definitely hits me hard.

John
Click to expand...

I agree. We recently took a day trip and I threw my 45acp in the SUV and my wife wanted to know why. I told her I can't take a cop with me. Well - we stopped at a gas station to fill up and there were dirtbags EVERYWHERE. I stopped at the pump and put my gun in my pocket - told the wife and kids to wait for me to finish pumping the gas and we'd all walk in together.

A bit overboard? Maybe. But, why risk anything. I'm no good them if they aren't near me and the SHTF.
 
Responses to a couple of posts

First, I don't understand the comment from the poster who said the guy would've been better off if he'd had an older pickup--the article doesn't give the model year of the victim's F-150, does it? Might not have made any difference.

Also, meg said the other guy (the one who didn't pull the trigger) shouldn't be charged with murder, since he probably didn't know that a killing was in the works. I see no evidence to support that claim. The article says the non-shooter is on video stalking the victim through the store. Sounds to me like there's every reason to believe the two individuals were on the same page, cooperating to achieve the same objective.

I agree with those who have talked about head on a swivel, particularly in a wal-mart parking lot late at night. I occasionally go to the local wal-mart in the p.m., and always am looking all around as I walk briskly to and from the entrance. Gives me the creeps knowing all the wackos that are out there. But how much can you do when someone slips up behind you as you're getting in? The fact that the guy was parked right by the front door suggests two things: First, there probably would have been lots of people coming and going right past his truck, so it may have been harder for him to keep track of everyone and he may have felt more at ease being right by the front entrance. Did that make it easier for the bad guys to get close to him? Secondly, the fact that the bad guy shot someone right in front of wal-mart indicates he may not have been all there, or maybe was doped up. Who shoots someone right in front of the entrance to wal-mart?!?! A cop friend tells me meth-heads do some very stupid and unpredictable things.

I am *SO* sad for the wife and the little kids... How do you ever recover from something like this? God, please bless and comfort them as only You can.
 
some days I wonder.....

A couple things here -

1 - Agreed - we need to watch the six - now more then ever.

2- let us not go too far to the paranoid, this guy was stalked - perhaps a bit of observence could have helped - but he was tag teamed as well then shot in the back. Who knows for sure?

3 - Meg - what is that all about? These two ARE THUGS - the should get their day in trial then fried - PERIOD. It is a bit too thin to think behaviors like this that was caught on tape could be chance. Dont try to defend the devil.

4 - a note to add to 2... I am an old country boy and outdoorsman - also I ride a homebuilt (by me) custom harley (shovelhead). I have a pony tail and grey in my beard but I would really be upset if someone drew on me 'cause the way I look. Watch the ACTIONS of those you suspect - not the appearance. Please?
 
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