Friday Night, Downtown Houston

Matted dreds, blue sweatshirt?

Yeah, there's a big nutjob with dreds that hangs over in the area. I believe he's a Katrinite...he cropped up about the right time. My hangout of choice in that area is Sambuca. No 51% sign.

The guy I'm thinking of might not be who you had in mind when you bought your P3AT. Les Baer is the perfect antidote, however.

I used to work in the 717 Texas Building in that area. I usually stayed pretty late. The critters really come out of the woodwork at night around there. I was never without OC and Surefire in my pocket, parked in the building garage in well lit areas, close to elevators or entrances and tried to get on upper floors. Did I have my CCW in my vehicle at all times (no-carry zone in the company offices)? Yes.

Yeah, you're right. I realized later that night that this was probably not a good move, but then when you're under that type of strain it's kind of hard to do everything perfectly, or at least that was how it was with me.

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This is the reason you train. Find a range that will let you train in regards to drawing your weapon. You can pracrice at home with an unloaded firearm. Keep training your draw with your finger off the trigger and on the frame until your body remembers how to do it.

In an oh sh*t situation, your fine motor skills go away and your body works almost completely on muscle memory.


Other than the above mentioned critique, very well played and happy 21st, congrats.

I have no real quibble with how this was handled, but I'd like to know how different the scenario would have to be for there to be a different course of action.

Had the perp not been such a rough looking character who was closer in size to the OP, would the hand still have gone to the gun? Would the same commands have been issued? (Assuming the same dark street, questionable neighborhood and move towards the OP?)

The "awareness and prejudice" and "when do you draw" threads are related and provide interesting perspectives.

I ask this because I sometimes wonder whether the people you don't worry about might pose your biggest risks...

My usual routine with these guys as they approach is to move at 90 degrees; if they change course my way then things becomes more certain.

When they get to around 20 feet I would inform them politely that they were "close enough" - and "what do you want - I can hear you just fine right there".

If they continue, or restart an advance "that's close enough" is distinctly final in delivery.

The whole of Houston is loaded with street people of all types. Some are simply panhandlers or the generally passive homeless types. Some are just out of prison or halfway house residents. There is simply no way to say whether they are a threat until after an encounter is over with and you have put alot of distance between you again.

The addition of a secondary non-lethal means of defense can not be overstated.

If you draw on what is outwardly or actually an unarmed subject and they continue to simply advance with nothing more than a cigarette or a half eaten greasy hamburger in their hand you are faced with a problem when they reach the threshold of your personal space.

At some point in time you are going to have to do one of two things; shoot or move. Let them get too close and attempting to suddenly flee may put you in an extremely vulnerable position. Your back to them at a flat run - or trying to move fast and watch them at the same time. Or something in between. None of these are good. Add a spouse and or child and your problem is magnified ten times or more. Some of these people are sickly, out of shape or otherwise in poor physical shape. Some are the complete opposite.

A non-lethal alternative allows to you defend yourself should they close in with no sound justification for deadly force. A transition to deadly force can then be made if required.

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JT1JT1 said:

Had the perp not been such a rough looking character who was closer in size to the OP, would the hand still have gone to the gun? Would the same commands have been issued? (Assuming the same dark street, questionable neighborhood and move towards the OP?)

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Of course if he acted differently, there would have been a different outcome. The point of situational awareness is to force YOUR outcome, not depend on uncontrollable variables of another. Further to that, a DIRECT factor in threat assessment is the initial intel that you recieve. Big, scruffy looking, coming toward us... Possible threat. Determination, THREAT...

So, I understand your point, but history would show exactly that, there are THREATS that are REAL, but that I (for instance) do not classify as "real" and that will most likely be a lesson learned for friends and family or posted on this forum should it happen...

Sounds like everything was handled just right given all the circumstances. I have a question, though. Does anything think that a high-powered flashlight would have helped in this situation? For instance, whenever possible at night, I carry my Surefire 120-lumen light in my left jacket pocket and my CCW in my right jacket pocket. I keep my hands in my pockets at night (because it's winter in Oregon) with a firm grip on both the light and the snubnose.

If I were being quickly approached by a stranger in the dark and felt threatened, my first option would be a blinding 120-lumen beam leveled at their face while demanding they stop right there. If this was ignored, and the stranger kept approaching rapidly in a threatening way, I'd consider moving to option #2, the CCW.

I think some much needed light could have been shed on the whole encounter with a good high-powered light.

But again, I think you handled it fantastically given all the circumstances and what you had with you. Good job!

"My one error was slipping my booger hook around the bang switch prematurely. "

I gave you a pass on that due to the heavy trigger pull.

99% chance it was a bum just wanting to ask for $$, but you cannot risk that 1% - you did great!


hoji, yeah, I'll educate you:

A crook seeing your finger running along the barrel is a sign of your weakness and he already knows he has the advantage!!

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That statement is hogwash. There. Consider yourself educated.

hoji, yeah, I'll educate you:


Quote:
A crook seeing your finger running along the barrel is a sign of your weakness and he already knows he has the advantage!!

That statement is hogwash. There. Consider yourself educated.

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Not my statement but thanks. Some people just do not seem to have any sense at all.{ Not directed at you}

Seconding the "good job", the "happy anniversary", and the "consider a tacticool flashlight". All's well that ends well, for sure though.
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I'm curious about opinions on types of challenges that can be offered in these types of situations. Anyone have any further ideas on how to (specifically) issue commands/challenges and reasons for choosing the words? Might be a good topic to hash out while we are all paying attention here...

No reason to question your gut, it's what saves lives. When a scruffy looking guy came to my door some weeks ago (no visitors here) I did not open the door to talk to him, but yelled thru the glass. Sure he was looking for a neighbor I think, but who can say? It wasn't normal. And around here, people are known for leaving doors open...all the time.

As far as any stereotyping, well, yes, I wouldn't trust me if I saw myself approaching, scruffy/hands in pocket/baggy pants/bad posture. But more than that, you probably wouldn't have trusted a guy in an Armani suit who was "trotting" or whatever you said towards you. You just don't do that at night. Don't for a second think you should be kinder and gentler next time. Like flipping a coin, each time is independent of the last.

As for the flanking...what do you if you wife isn't carrying, and someone lunges at her and you don't fire or you fire and miss, and she becomes in danger? Behind you, you know where said person is heading, and would be firing at something you have aim at. Not trying to disrespect a general rule or something, as I'm positive the people who posted it have more experience than me...but just begged the question in my mind.

nice job.

One of the first things you learn, or should learn when carrying is places to stay away from if at all possible.

Downtown Houston is one of them at night. Even before the Katrina exodus, it was questionable at best.

The second is if you are going into questionable places, know where you are at all times and place your vehicle as close to you as possible.

This is where the most important weapon being your brain comes into play.

I carry an x26 taser as well as ccw, (Taser in man bag and gun on body)

Faced with the same I would have drawn the taser and made my demands. If I had time I would told my wife to draw her taser.

Glad everything came out and I think you should be thankful to have the experience of a real situation with no harm to anyone. I think that is truly priceless.

FEEDTHEHOGS - " One of the first things you learn, or should learn when carrying is places to stay away from if at all possible.

Downtown Houston is one of them at night."

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So is Memphis. As is Los Angeles.

I've always told my wife that if I say, "Get behind me," she is to immediately step behind me, turn around, and watch behind us in case someone is trying to "rear end" us. Back-to-back, we can cover almost 360 degrees.

Of course, as she has a CCW, it helps to know that she can also help out if someone tried to blind side us.

L.W.

+1 on your situational awareness. Sounds like your wife is a lucky woman.

Ankle Rig

I know they get a lot of bad press but I've also had a P3AT in my pocket and a S&W 638 on my ankle. If you have time or are driving the ankle rig is a good alternative to no or a little gun.

The fact that you biggest worry is that you're questioning yourself tells you you did OK.

Odds are this was NOT an innocent encounter.

Consider the context: it's dark out, well after business hours and you are alone in like a parking lot with this person.

He's crossing in the middle of the street to approach you. Not normal behavior in this context. If he just had a street to cross he could do it at a crosswalk. If he had somewhere to go in the middle of the street you would have known what it was. (He also would have told you that when confronted).

He doesn't acknowledge you from a distance with a wave or nod, but does make a beeline toward you.

He's moving fast. What's the hurry?

He doesn't take no for an answer. This can be a major danger signal and given the context you were right to be extremely concerned.

He tells you that you don't have to be afraid. (STILL not taking no for an answer).

He tries to circle around you. Why? There's nothing back there.

Lots of behavior that doesn't make sense for an innocent person in that context. Maybe the guy was just clueless and pushy and insulted that you yelled at him - in which case you owe the jerk no consideration at all. Plenty of behavior that DOES make sense for a robber (strongarm or armed) who is "interviewing" you. Add your gut telling you something's wrong and you absolutely did the right thing.