Why giving them what they want isn't a good defense

[yesit'sloaded]

Sad reminder that doing what they ask doesn't guarantee anything.

Gabriel Falcon
AC360° Writer

She did everything she was ordered to do.
But it wasn’t enough for the killer.

The video you are about to see is grainy and above all, it is gruesome, showing the taking of a life for a few dollars. The images were recorded last Tuesday night at around 9PM. They show the final seconds of the life of Linda Susan Raulerson.

A surveillance camera is fixed on the inside of the Joy America Food Store in Lake City, Florida.
At the counter is Mrs. Raulerson. She is the clerk. She is also a 56-year-old wife and mother.
Outside the window, a car pulls up. Police believe it is a four-door Buick Regal, white with black trim, uncertain of the year, but possibly 1993 to 1995 model.
We see a man enter the store. What happens next is hard to watch.

The man approaches Mrs. Raulerson, brandishes a gun and while barking orders, shoots her in the right arm. She screams. And then he fatally shoots her. Customers would later find her body in a pool of blood.

The motive was robbery. Sheriff Bill Gootee of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is shocked. “This murder is especially heinous,” he says. “Mrs. Raulerson did nothing but comply with the suspect and she was shot in a cold-blooded manner.”

Video is available on the site. http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/category/crime-punishment/

Just to remind us all that when someone asks you "is it worth taking a life to protect your property?" that the property might not be all that is at stake.

 

[The Tourist]

About two years ago a comment made by Jerry Vancook in a knife rag changed the manner of my conduct for situations like this.

As you know, Wisconsin has no CCW provision. In that light, I would be forced to cut for my life. In the past I weighed the options, and decidied to judge using a knife in a "case by case" basis. That is, until I read what Mr. Vancook wrote.

His comment was, "Any chance is better than no chance at all."

Now granted, even his remarks were prefaced by the scenario, "when they start rounding up witnesses for the back room."

But this tragic video demonstrates that not all felons care about making noise or leaving witnesses for a petty about of cash.

I will now cut for any action in crime. Yeah, I know the odds.

 

[3KillerBs]

The motive was robbery. Sheriff Bill Gootee of the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office is shocked. “This murder is especially heinous,” he says. “Mrs. Raulerson did nothing but comply with the suspect and she was shot in a cold-blooded manner.”

My question about these sad situations is always the same, ...

Why are so many people so surprised? Why did they expect a crook to act like a gentleman? What did they really think a robber was going to do?

People act as if killing people and taking their stuff wasn't really what these criminals had in mind.

It baffles me. It really baffles me.

 

[gunNoob]

I really wish Illinois had CCW

 

[Golden Hound]

You can read the case files of all the offenders executed in Texas at this website. You would be absolutely amazed at how many of them robbed people and then shot them for absolutely no reason afterwards. Guys who forced people to withdraw cash from ATMs and then killed them. Guys who held up liquor stores, got a bag full of cash, and then just shoot the guy behind the counter. Just handing over your stuff does not mean they won't kill you. They will kill you just to make sure you can't be a witness against them.

Any state without CC, I cannot consider a part of the United States of America, because it violates the constitution.

 

[Spirit of 34]

Dunno. Kind of a toss-up. In a mugging or robbery it could go either way. Seems the smart thing to do is size up how much an advantage the attacker has on you. If he's at close range, but not close enough to disarm (or has you from behind), already has his gun drawn and caught me by surprise I might be inclined to just hand over the cash unless there was an opportunity to distract him for long enough. Also, sometimes muggings get done by gangs of people-- this has happened to a few of my friends.

One time I was mugged by I guy at an ATM who pretended to have a gun at my back. After I gave him the money I decided to follow him. He looked back and started running, that's when I figured he really didn't have a gun. I caught up and knocked the old drunk bastard down and kicked him until he gave me my money back. Nice little adrenaline rush for the walk back home.

 

[RyanM]

His comment was, "Any chance is better than no chance at all."

That pretty much sums it up. If you defend yourself, it all comes down to who's more skilled and lucky. But if you cooperate, you're staking your life on the goodwill and generosity of a criminal. I'm not going to stake my life on any stranger's goodwill, let alone someone who has a gun to my head.

 

[FCFC]

One time I was mugged by I guy at an ATM who pretended to have a gun at my back. After I gave him the money I decided to follow him. He looked back and started running, that's when I figured he really didn't have a gun. I caught up and knocked the old drunk bastard down and kicked him until he gave me my money back. Nice little adrenaline rush for the walk back home.

Well done!

I take it you did not have a gun?

Dunno. Kind of a toss-up. In a mugging or robbery it could go either way. Seems the smart thing to do is size up how much an advantage the attacker has on you. If he's at close range, but not close enough to disarm (or has you from behind), already has his gun drawn and caught me by surprise I might be inclined to just hand over the cash unless there was an opportunity to distract him for long enough.

I think there are two conditions that are important: have a gun and no gun.

If no gun and dealing with a cretin who has a gun and is demanding just the $$, one is pretty much stuck. Give it up, give it up. Unless....you want to be very daring. Things change, of course, if the gunner demands something else: get into the car, get into the back room....

 

[VegasOPM]

I think that everyone needs to make the decision before an incident occurs. I have chosen to NEVER accommodate a criminal. I have and will always fight back. I was threatened with assault by a group of late teens when I was 14, I drew my butterfly knife and went after them first (they got in their car and left). I had a couple of guys pull a knife on me when I was in my mid 20's, I drew mine and got ready to fight- they left too. The fact that a target is ready to fight back with deadly force is enough to change most criminals' plans.

The idea that anyone else, not to mention a criminal, is allowed to make the decision on whether I live or die is abhorrent to me. I'll live or die based on my own actions, not beg for clemency from a sociopath- thanks.

 

[Defensory]

The surveillance photos of the perp aren't very clear, making identification more difficult.

I have to shake my head over the thousands of stores around the country that use such cheap quality, low resolution video cameras in their establishments.

Almost every time I see surveillance video or photos on the TV news or Internet, the resolution really sucks.

With all the armed robberies and burglaries occurring these days, it's just common sense to me to buy excellent quality, high resolution surveillance cameras, that will render clear video and stills of criminals.

 

[loneviking]

What's really sad is that this is Florida. This woman could have had a CCW and a gun, but for whatever reason chose not too. She paid for that decision with her life.

If you want to see the type of animals roaming our streets, watch NBC's 'Lockup' show sometime. It's about life in prison and shows what these cons are really like.

 

[Seotaji]

With all the armed robberies and burglaries occurring these days, it's just common sense to me to buy excellent quality, high resolution surveillance cameras, that will render clear video and stills of criminals.

That just wouldn't be prudent. Corporations know that employees are cheaper than better cameras.

 

[jakemccoy]

What's really sad is that this is Florida. This woman could have had a CCW and a gun, but for whatever reason chose not too. She paid for that decision with her life.

We know she didn't use a gun. How do you know she didn't have a gun?

 

[rainbowbob]

As you know, Wisconsin has no CCW provision.

Tourist: I didn't know that. That sucks. Can you open carry?

We know she didn't use a gun. How do you know she didn't have a gun?

Good question. I didn't see much opportunity in that video to draw and fire a weapon. He shot her in the arm immediately, kept the gun trained on her, and fired the fatal shot shortly thereafter. It would be unlikely to win a gunfight under those circumstances. In view of what happened -"...any chance would have been better than no chance..." But she didn't know she had no chance until it was too late. Very sad - and very sad the BG will not likely be ID'd by that crappy video.

 

[jakemccoy]

...You lose some.