I was chased tonight

[Min]

A scary incident occurred early this morning.

I decided to go to a 24 hr Whataburger drive-through to get a hamburger. As I pulled in front of the order panel, I did not hear the usual greeting for a long time, and cars started to pile behind me. After repeated "hello's" with no response I honked my horn quickly once to get their attention. The vehicle in front of me had almost pulled to the window so there was a lot of space between us. But somehow, that driver took offense with me, and when I got behind him, he turned his head and stared me down for a good two minutes or more. As I was trapped between his vehicle and the cars behind me, I just looked away.

When I paid for my food, I pulled out of the Whataburger parking lot, and noticed the driver who got mad at me start up his truck and followed me. He parked in the lot waiting for me to leave!! My "spidey sense" was going off the scale, so I took the freeway feeder road and stepped on the gas. He speeded up to stay right behind me. I approached a red light, but with him right behind me, I made a right turn even though it was not where I wanted to go. He turned! Getting more and more apprehensive with each moment, I made a series of turns that were abrupt in my attempt to lose him. He followed me everytime. By now, my heart was beating in thumps, and my adrenanline was flowing. I kept thinking about the stories of people getting shot in incidents like this, and I was half expecting a shot to ring out in my direction.

I had my cell phone, so I called "911" and told the dispatcher while driving what my situation was and where I was. It was during the call that he abandoned the chase, however, and I did not see him in my rear view mirror anymore. I drove back to the same Whataburger, and told the drive-through girl what happened. She asked, "Did you call the police?" "Yes, yes!" I said.

Before, while I was getting my food from her, she told me the guy came by every night at around the same time. She also told me the guy was drunk, and that she tried to calm him down about me. So, that was why I came back to see if I could get more information about him from her. I called the police again on my cell phone, and met with a patrol car at the Whataburger, and I explained to him what happened. The HPD officer said he will scan the area to look for the guy with the vehicle matching the description I gave him. If the guy was indeed drunk he had no business driving.

The whole time, I had my concealed handgun license in my wallet, and my Glock 19 loaded with 15 rounds of Winchester white box hollow points. I also had a spare ten round magazine loaded with the same ammunition. The gun was under my car seat. I did not rack the slide to chamber a round. The trigger was not set to fire. This is my usual mode with Glocks.

The whole time, I was thankful I had a gun with me because this could have very easily escalated into the use of firearms. I was in flight mode the whole time. At no point did I want to confront this person, and risk getting shot at, or risk having to shoot him. If he was drunk, the recklessness of his actions could very well necessitate me using my gun on him.

After I met with the police officer, I went on my usual business because I did not see the pickup truck anymore. I have lived in this city long enough to know little things like this could easily erupt into violence, often senseless.

This incident made me realize a few things. I am glad I went and got my CHL and equipped myself with a firearm. I saw how I reacted with sudden danger or potential danger - i.e. too many decisions to make with not enough time to make them. Every function of my body went into overdrive. If I did NOT have a gun on me, I would have been even more scared than I was. I realized that all the arguments the anti-gun crowd had about not needing a gun was foolish.

What would have happened if I stopped and confronted him? I shudder at the thought. I was trying my best to avoid escalation, but if he kept pursuing me, the fifteen little hollow point bullets would find their way to his torso.

 

[Devonai]

I think you did very well. I definitely don't think there was any reason for you to exit your vehicle, and calling the cops is always a good idea.

If the other driver had hit my vehicle with his, then I would have looked for a way to stop and safely exit the vehicle. It's too dangerous to play bumper cars, so if I could get away from my vehicle without putting myself in danger of being run over I would. Then if the driver still wanted to pursue me on foot I'd be in a much better position to determine the actual threat, and engage him accordingly.

What I wonder about is if this changes the rules of engagement at all. The subject has already assaulted you with a deadly weapon, his vehicle. Would drawing on him (after he dismounted) even if he was unarmed be kosher with the local authorities? If this happened in my town I'd say yes; anywhere else is taking a chance IMO.

 

[Steve Smith]

I think it is logical to say that if your vehicle is intentionally struck by another, you may be facing death or great bodily harm, which is the key in CO.

 

[Min]

That young Latino guy may not have realized how close he came to being shot this morning.

 

[brownie0486]

Once you were being followed, it may have been wise to head toward a police station while calling on the cell to them as well.

You may have found yourself in trouble if you had stopped to confront him with a handgun on.

No need to be confrontational, and certainly not prudent to be such while packing heat if it could be avoided [ which in this case it was ].

Anytime someone is following/confronting me in a vehicle and has issues, I try to get the plate/tag number immediately. Future reference, no matter what happens, you can then give the cops a plate to track down.

The best thing you did was something you didn't do [ confront him with a gun on ]. You need to show you were the defender, and your actions were not offensive in nature which would be deemed escalation probably.

Brownie

 

[Kurt S.]

Min, you really expect us to believe that something like that happened here in friendly Houston, Texas?

Seriously, you did extremely well. A lot of people could take a lesson from the way you handled it from the beginning to the end.

 

[Kharn]

If the other driver had hit my vehicle with his, then I would have looked for a way to stop and safely exit the vehicle. It's too dangerous to play bumper cars, so if I could get away from my vehicle without putting myself in danger of being run over I would.

I would never exit my vehicle unless it was on fire or the offender was ramming me repeatedly at high speed. 5100lbs of 4x4 is a whole lot better protection than a few pounds of clothing.

Kharn

 

[Josey]

You made mistakes. Learn from them. IF you are going to CCW, carry HOT! You only had a plastic club. Learn from your mistakes.

 

[Min]

IF you are going to CCW, carry HOT!

Yeah.

 

[Penforhire]

I don't see anything wrong with his chosen carry mode. Just use what you train with. Plastic club-to-slug thrower in maybe 1.5 seconds? Sounds like your chosen holster makes more of a difference in time-to-battery.

Min, you did real good in my book. Showed good restraint in avoiding confrontation and involving the cops.

 

[Devonai]

I would never exit my vehicle unless it was on fire or the offender was ramming me repeatedly at high speed. 5100lbs of 4x4 is a whole lot better protection than a few pounds of clothing.

True, I was thinking only of my own 4-door sedan.

 

[JamisJockey]

Another vote for good job.

As for carrying without one in the chamber...as long as you practice what you carry, there is no problem with that.

And as for being rammed, you're still much safer belted into your car then out on the street on your feet. Who's to say that he won't try and run you down once you're out?

Once you're being followed, NEVER go home. Go to a public place, or a fire station or police station.

 

[orangeninja]

I vote for good job....sometimes prudence looks cowardly but it isn't. Think of it as "tactical retreat". After all, "tactical" isn't just some catchy phrase advertisers use to sell their latest weapons.


tac·ti·cal P Pronunciation Key (tkt-kl)
adj. Of, relating to, or using tactics.
Characterized by adroitness, ingenuity, or skill.

tactic= An expedient for achieving a goal; a maneuver.

In your case, safety.



"I don't see anything wrong with his chosen carry mode."

Actually I do. It tells me 2 things.

1.) you are not comfortable with your weapon or its features.

2.) you are not familiar with your own capabilities or the weapons.

I little story you may have heard but is worth repeating.

2 detectives go to serve a warrant, one with a J frame revolver, the other with a Beretta. The older detective tells the younger Beretta carrier to leave the safety off the weapon. The younger detective ignores this advise. They kick in the door, bad guy has a pump shot gun. The Beretta owner pulls the trigger 4 or 5 times before he realizes he left the "safety" on. The older detective puts the BG down with a couple of rapid shots saving the younger detectives life. So much for it being a "safety". Doesn't sound safe at all.

 

[KaceCoyote]

Just out've curiosity what car do you drive? Have you taken the time to attempt to 'ferret' your sidearm while inside this vehicle? Have you taken it to an empty parking lot and figured out just how agile it is..become familar with how it handles when hardpressed?

 

[orangeninja]

Just a note, if you do test the limits of your car, you will at best chrystalize your brakes and most likely ruin your suspension and shocks and chrystalize your brakes.

For every 2 students taking a 2 day defensive driving course in academy, another police cruiser must be "repackaged" before anyone else can drive it.

Doing a couple of circles around the parking lot probably wouldn't hurt too much though, just make sure you are alone and go SLOW....you shouldn't need to exceed 30MPH to learn manuverability.

 

[Mannlicher]

Not much you can do to avoid these types of situations. The guy in the Pick UP was just spoiling for a fight. I think all things considered, ya did a darn good job of keeping it from (dare I say it about Houston?) "going south'".
I do have to chime in though, about carrying with an empty chamber. Yeah, I know y'all "practice like ya carry" 'n all that, but, sometimes you just don't have time to chamber, and fire. It's for those times that do NOT meet our expectations, that we prepare. Personally, I would not give away even the slightest edge, period.

 

[BowStreetRunner]

yeah, you did right by avoiding conflict as much as possible, and by helping the police try and find the turd
hope they catch him sometime before he hurts himself or others
BSR

 

[HadEmAll]

"I don't see anything wrong with his chosen carry mode. Just use what you train with. Plastic club-to-slug thrower in maybe 1.5 seconds?"

That's if you have the luxury of 2 hands free at the time you need the gun to actually work.

 

[KaceCoyote]

Alduro I dont think the comparison is valid. The difference between the cars your talking about and your average sedan is pretty drastic. Theres no changing of shocks mostly, Most cars used in defensive driving courses are substantially modifed for a number of reasons. primarily your going from normal coil over shocks, and adjustable sway and rollbars. Why? Because working lets say, a crown vic over by 1 driver. Even if they are all doing the same excersises with the same instructor will -not- be stressed in the same way as any other crown vic. This means you build in bits that simply go out've adjustment rather than break. This means that all the cars start the same. Aside from this heat is what kills brakes and shocks more than anything. The heat spent by driving -hard- all day through short stop, starts. People arent -on the floor- with the brake or gas either as often with their Daily driver.

Keep in mind. If your in a situation where your being followed, by somone whos presenting you with a threat I find it -very- unlikely your gonna wanna do -30- miles an hour anywhere. I know, personally that if I was being followed by an individual whom I thought wished to do me harm I would drive as fast as I could without putting myself or others in danger. Pushing your automobile, and learning about it should be done at a wide range of speeds. This is to better simulate encountering this situation in a parkinglot, suburbia or on the highway. Practice makes perfect. If whats your saying is true sir than my 96' Cherokee 4.0 HO with a stage 2 head, stage three chip and custom cold bent aluminum exhaust should be nothing but scrap by now. I make a point to practice in my, yes. High power SUV. I am yet to put my brakes, or any suspension components into a situation where they presented a level of wear that required replacement. I know how my truck handles at 10, 15,20 and on up to 150mph, which was achieved at the local sunday night 'Run what'cha brung' open track night.

Your vehicle, is your lifeline to safety. it is your bullet proof vest, your maglight, and your daypack all in one. It is a tool much like your firearms. I see no reason not to learn to use it, and all tools to the full extent my skills will allow. Oh and no...no speeding tickets.

 

[J Jones]

Just a note, if you do test the limits of your car, you will at best chrystalize your brakes and most likely ruin your suspension and shocks and chrystalize your brakes.

You won't crystalize (i.e., glaze) your brake pads through hard use unless you run cheap pads you got a midas, meineke, etc. What you will likely do is fade them beyond serviceable use and boil your brake fluid. I strongly recommend that everyone get their fluid changed every two years (brake fluid is hygroscopic and absorbs water, something which can lower the boiling point a couple hundred degrees over time). I further recommend that everyone buy a high quality, premium pad, usually a ceramic compound, from a name brand such as Hawk, Raybestos, Bendix, Wagner, etc. and avoid the el cheapo lifetime pads offered at discount repair chains that meet the barest requirements for performance. You get better fade resistance, decreased glazing (melting of pad material) and increased stopping power from a quality pad. Stuff like this can pay dividends in safety on a daily basis, never mind if you find that you have to push your vehicle hard to avoid trouble.

Also, you won't ruin your suspension, unless you are driving over heavily potholed or extremely rough roads.

 

[Nighthawk]

I've had two or three of these incidents happen to me. You did good, I probably wouldn't have called the cops but that's just me. I find no fault in your carry methods or in your reaction to the situation.

A few things I wanted to point out.

First, anytime somebody starts shadowing you, the worst thing you can do is act like you're spooked by it. They'll see that as a sign that they've got you scared and it'll encourage them. Go about your business. If you're going to work in a metro area, and you get within a block or so and they're still on your tail, then it might be panic time, but 90% of these idiots will go chicken if they think they're actually going to catch you. It's all about control. They want to think they have it. They want to "let you go" and "do you a favor." That empowers them.

Second, NEVER, EVER exit your vehicle. If it comes to a confrontation, let them take the risk of stepping out. Then you have several options--you can run over them, you can draw your CCW, or you can simply call 911 and wait for the police. But NEVER, EVER get out or give them any personal information.

If the person steps out of his vehicle, draw and ready your firearm, but don't present it. Never present a firearm unless you intend to use it.

If they appear unarmed and want to talk to you, crack the window just far enough for them to hear you. If they ask for ID (which some idiot did to my dad not too long ago), don't give it to them. Call the police if you have a cell phone. They'll leave.

NEVER take your vehicle out of gear or get boxed in. Always have an avenue of escape. Even if it's reverse, then put the sucker in reverse. If the guy is outside your vehicle and draws a weapon, you'll be better off to get your vehicle moving first.

Don't ever try to bluff and/or battle your way out of a confrontation and don't ever assume that because of your CCW, you'll win.

Anytime someone is acting in a threatening mannor, just assume he has a sawed off 12 guage and one of Fienstein's magic asault weapons hiddin in his pockets. Always assume you're outgunned. You'll be less willing to do something stupid and put yourself on more of a defensive stance. Anytime you draw your CCW, be ready to go to jail. It may not happen, but it might--especially as screwed up as things have been getting lately. So ask yourself if you're ready to go to jail or if it even means that much. Don't rely on a CCW to get you out of a jam. It's there for one reason only--to save your life when SHTF.

If you're driving and somebody starts hitting you with their car, best thing to do is slam on the brakes. Either they'll rearend you or go flying by, and if they do go flying by, you've got the option of turning hard into their quarter panel and spinning them out, or simply letting other traffic distance the other person from you. Don't let them get behind you again and drive 15 mph if you have to in order to keep them in front of you. Stop on the shoulder of the road if you have to. Do whatever you have to do to maintain control of your vehicle.

Okay, long and short, just as everyone else said, stay defensive until the end. An offensive stance will earn you jail time. You got out alive and nobody got hurt and you're not in jail, so by my book, you played everything just right.

If I were you, I'd trade the Glock for an H&K, keep a round chambered, and learn to operate the thumb safety with either hand, but that's up to you. Oh, and keep a great big Mag Lite within reach for the next time you go out for a burger. Next time somebody makes eyes at you, just whip it out and practice twirling it. They'll get the idea...

j/k on that last part

 

[Min]

Thanks for the input, guys.


Well, actually, I was disappointed the chase did not continue a little bit longer.

I had HPD on the phone, and I just finished telling them which intersection I was at the time. The dispatcher said they'll have a car in the area.

I would have loved for the guy to be staring down the muzzle of a cop gun.



My car is a 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse with the V6. It's comfortably powerful, but not a rocket. Maneuverability is not good in this car - turning radius is very wide. I know it pretty well.



As for the Glock being unchambered, I had plenty of time to rack the slide, and I should have. All I needed to do was take hold of the gun in my right hand (left hand on the steering wheel), place front of gun's slide against bottom of steering wheel, push, and voila - round chambered.

That said, I will be carrying one with one in the pipe from now on.

 

[KaceCoyote]

Thats odd, its sad actually. The earlier generation of eclipse and the DSM eclipses in particular were such agile little bits've kit.

 

[Min]

From 2002 to 2003 they changed the personality of the Eclipse from lean street machines to bloated comfort cruiser.

 

[Min]

Back to guns, though...

The Glock 19 that I have, is my old standby SHTF gun...