Hostage Situation at a Tampa Shooting Range
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Titan6
member
I think this is a first. I have never heard of people being held hostage at a shooting range. Crime is normally quite low there for obvious reasons....
The store has a policy of not allowing loaded weapons in the store except on the firing line. It seems that the customers just can't be trusted with loaded weapons anywhere else. The irony here is just too much.
A guy takes hostages...in a gun store...:banghead:
A guy takes hostages...in a gun store...:banghead:
Rumble
Member
TBeck - it sounds like you've been there--do the employees carry? Are there many of them? I'm just curious about the place.
In the few gunshops of any size I've been to, there were usually 4-5 employees there, all carrying. It would seem pretty shortsighted to start something in one of those places.
In the few gunshops of any size I've been to, there were usually 4-5 employees there, all carrying. It would seem pretty shortsighted to start something in one of those places.
RioShooter
Member
This is a reason why I always have my J-frame in my front pocket. Even when I'm competing in IDPA or pin-shooting and have an unloaded gun in my holster, I'm still armed.
El Tejon
Member
Didn't we have a thread about people being carjacked in the parking lot down in gun stores in Florida?
It seem Floridians should be carrying their guns on them.
I cannot understand how people have guns to defend themselves and then leave them in their cars or range bags.
It seem Floridians should be carrying their guns on them.
I cannot understand how people have guns to defend themselves and then leave them in their cars or range bags.
MartinBrody
Member
I don't carry everywhere I go, but the one time I always carry is when going to the range, you never want to have a bunch of unloaded guns without at least one loaded.
Fish Miner
Member
Here in Orlando a husband wife team were followed home from the range and held up- bags in the trunk...:banghead:
Anyone know how the place is set up? He got shot and ran into the range and took hostages?
Anyone know how the place is set up? He got shot and ran into the range and took hostages?
Lupinus
Member
robbing people at an indoor range (considering it normally has hangers and you are always on the line with weapons in reach and there is no cease fire time) really takes some stones I'll give them that much
I've already read some people that shoot outdoors that they always keep a loaded gun on them when shooting. I'm usually at an indoor range so I haven't bothered and figured I'm always at the line near guns but maybe I should try to keep one loaded...
AlaskaErik
Member
I shoot at unofficial "ranges" near my house and I always have my carry gun when I do. No matter what, I will always have a gun on me that's being carried solely for the purpose of self protection.
That range is a run down dump with a bad attitude. I have never heard anyone say anything good about that place, not even the employees. It could be a disgruntled employee.
I would be surprised if anyone was using the range. I have never seen any customers in there the few times I have been there.
I would be surprised if anyone was using the range. I have never seen any customers in there the few times I have been there.
First time I went to an IDPA shoot my gun nervous wife (now cured) asked if I was nervous with all the people with guns around. I said I don't think I've ever heard of a shooting at a gun range except maybe an accident. I mean would you really pull a gun on someone in a room full of other people with guns....
Guess there is a first for everything.
Heavy Metal Hero
Member
The employees have always treated me with respect there. Scary to think I could have been there today. I am never as glad I didn't go shooting as I am today. God.
EDIT: The news seems to care more about a major road being shut down than the situation inside. Disgusting.
EDIT: The news seems to care more about a major road being shut down than the situation inside. Disgusting.
cold dead hands
member
- Joined
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- 162
Once again boys and girls
Concealed means concealed and how dare any gunshop demand paying customers disarm?
At the busiest gunshop in this area all the employees are armed and there be lots of customers like me. Said hostage taker may get one or two corpses but he is gonna die on the spot. Thank you founding fathers for at one least place I do not feel need to be armed in, but I stall am anyway.
Concealed means concealed and how dare any gunshop demand paying customers disarm?
At the busiest gunshop in this area all the employees are armed and there be lots of customers like me. Said hostage taker may get one or two corpses but he is gonna die on the spot. Thank you founding fathers for at one least place I do not feel need to be armed in, but I stall am anyway.
Wes Janson
Member
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- May 12, 2006
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- 1,962
Right now the news isn't saying anything at all...they're all imposing a moritorium on information, presumably to keep the hostage taker from learning anything by watching the news.
I won't say much about this, but the situation really hits damn close to home for me. All I can say is: get your concealed carry permit, and in the name of whatever deity you believe in, carry.
I won't say much about this, but the situation really hits damn close to home for me. All I can say is: get your concealed carry permit, and in the name of whatever deity you believe in, carry.
Heavy Metal Hero
Member
That is what I dont understand....5 people were taken hostage. I doubt that if someone else was taken hostage I would lay down my gun and become a victim. Although it is hard to say, this is such a delicate situation.
A thought
A good example of why to carry while shooting, especially in remote areas, are the bad guys of the Miami FBI shootout- Matix and Platt. Their MO for obtaining getaway cars and extra firearms was to ambush plinkers in the Everglades. They did it at least twice, killing one and seriously wounding the other. Always carry, never be complacent.
My $0.02
A good example of why to carry while shooting, especially in remote areas, are the bad guys of the Miami FBI shootout- Matix and Platt. Their MO for obtaining getaway cars and extra firearms was to ambush plinkers in the Everglades. They did it at least twice, killing one and seriously wounding the other. Always carry, never be complacent.
My $0.02
Chad
Member
Another one that shouldn't have been out on the streets.
Hostage Situation Over
By HOWARD ALTMAN and MIKE WELLS
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - A 10-hour hostage situation at a shooting range came to an end about 3 a.m. when Jeffrey Lane Dudney, 42, killed himself. Dale Mabry Highway, which was closed during the tense standoff, is open for the morning commute
Five people taken hostage were released safely said Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said at a 3:30 a.m. press conference.
Dudney, who had been arrested just a few weeks ago by Tampa Police on attempted murder charges, entered Shooting Sports Inc, 7811 N. Dale Mabry, to obtain a gun so he could run from those charges, Gee said. Dudney, he said, was “irrational.”
Earlier in the evening, two of the five hostages escaped. The other three were able to flee once Dudney killed himself, Gee said.
Deputies were in constant contact by phone with Dudney, who was making a number of demands, including wanting medication and, at one point, a car to escape. At one point, deputies delivered medication via a robot, Gee said. The sheriff would not say what type of medication Dudney requested.
Gee said that there were three customers and two employees taken hostage.
Two others in the store were able to flee before being taken hostage, the sheriff said.
There were four men and one woman taken hostage, Gee said.
The woman was a manager and owner of the business, Gee said.
During the standoff, television stations were asked by the sheriff’s office not to give details of the situation.
The reason, said Gee, was the volatile nature of the unfolding events.
“Every two or three minutes he was threatening to shoot people, one by one Gee said. “He was very agitated, very amped up.
Dudney, said Gee, “came to door several times with a gun to the head of some of hostages.
“Every time we would talk to him, he would bring hostages to door. Some he would throw to the floor, others he used as a shield.”
The gunman often said he was contemplating suicide, Gee said.
Adding to the difficulty was the fact that the shooting range was “basically a fortress,” Gee said.
“Doors were welded shut,” he said. “From a tactical viewpoint, it was a most difficult situation.”
The windows were tinted, Gee said, meaning Dudney “could see out and we could not see in.”
Dudney was out on bail after a hit and run incident in which he fired shots at witnesses.
Previous Report: Police Find Man, Gun Sought In Shooting
On March 31, Dudney, was driving a Dodge Dakota pickup and struck a Chevrolet pickup at South Dale Mabry Highway and Bay to Bay Boulevard, police said.
Dudney drove away without stopping, according to an arrest report.
The other driver followed Dudney, and they pulled over on Ysabella Avenue.
The Chevrolet driver got out to talk to Dudney, who pulled out a .40-caliber handgun and pointed it at him, police said.
The driver got back in the Chevrolet, and as he drove away, Dudney fired a shot into the rear window, police said.
The driver and one of his two passengers were cut by glass.
During the incident they noted Dudney’s tag number, which police used to identify and track him.
Bail had been set at $150,500. It is unclear at this time how he was able to post that or if it was reduced.
http://tboblogs.com/index.php/newsw...y-closed/?imw=Y
Hostage Situation Over
By HOWARD ALTMAN and MIKE WELLS
The Tampa Tribune
TAMPA - A 10-hour hostage situation at a shooting range came to an end about 3 a.m. when Jeffrey Lane Dudney, 42, killed himself. Dale Mabry Highway, which was closed during the tense standoff, is open for the morning commute
Five people taken hostage were released safely said Hillsborough County Sheriff David Gee said at a 3:30 a.m. press conference.
Dudney, who had been arrested just a few weeks ago by Tampa Police on attempted murder charges, entered Shooting Sports Inc, 7811 N. Dale Mabry, to obtain a gun so he could run from those charges, Gee said. Dudney, he said, was “irrational.”
Earlier in the evening, two of the five hostages escaped. The other three were able to flee once Dudney killed himself, Gee said.
Deputies were in constant contact by phone with Dudney, who was making a number of demands, including wanting medication and, at one point, a car to escape. At one point, deputies delivered medication via a robot, Gee said. The sheriff would not say what type of medication Dudney requested.
Gee said that there were three customers and two employees taken hostage.
Two others in the store were able to flee before being taken hostage, the sheriff said.
There were four men and one woman taken hostage, Gee said.
The woman was a manager and owner of the business, Gee said.
During the standoff, television stations were asked by the sheriff’s office not to give details of the situation.
The reason, said Gee, was the volatile nature of the unfolding events.
“Every two or three minutes he was threatening to shoot people, one by one Gee said. “He was very agitated, very amped up.
Dudney, said Gee, “came to door several times with a gun to the head of some of hostages.
“Every time we would talk to him, he would bring hostages to door. Some he would throw to the floor, others he used as a shield.”
The gunman often said he was contemplating suicide, Gee said.
Adding to the difficulty was the fact that the shooting range was “basically a fortress,” Gee said.
“Doors were welded shut,” he said. “From a tactical viewpoint, it was a most difficult situation.”
The windows were tinted, Gee said, meaning Dudney “could see out and we could not see in.”
Dudney was out on bail after a hit and run incident in which he fired shots at witnesses.
Previous Report: Police Find Man, Gun Sought In Shooting
On March 31, Dudney, was driving a Dodge Dakota pickup and struck a Chevrolet pickup at South Dale Mabry Highway and Bay to Bay Boulevard, police said.
Dudney drove away without stopping, according to an arrest report.
The other driver followed Dudney, and they pulled over on Ysabella Avenue.
The Chevrolet driver got out to talk to Dudney, who pulled out a .40-caliber handgun and pointed it at him, police said.
The driver got back in the Chevrolet, and as he drove away, Dudney fired a shot into the rear window, police said.
The driver and one of his two passengers were cut by glass.
During the incident they noted Dudney’s tag number, which police used to identify and track him.
Bail had been set at $150,500. It is unclear at this time how he was able to post that or if it was reduced.
http://tboblogs.com/index.php/newsw...y-closed/?imw=Y
Adventurer_96
Member
I would have been shooting there yesterday if I hadn't have been fishing. Kinda strange. I'm stationed in UT but temporary duty in FL. In UT, we go to Trolley Square about once a month for dinner & shopping. I always left my weapon at home because it's Trolley Square and Utah, what could happen? A mall shooting, that's what could (and did) happen.
Now, the range I go to out here has a hostage situation, on a day that I could have been there shooting.
Do you think I'll be carrying from now on? You're damn right I will be.
Now, the range I go to out here has a hostage situation, on a day that I could have been there shooting.
Do you think I'll be carrying from now on? You're damn right I will be.
Heavy Metal Hero
Member
Between this situation and the suicide they had a few years back. I think I will pass on shooting there again.
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