October 08, 2006
Successful self-defense shooting in Seattle

"Assault victim fatally shoots assailant outside Westlake Center"

The man in the yellow shirt apparently focused in on the second man, saying, "I am going to kill you," ... He then began punching and kicking the second man until the man fell to the sidewalk.

"He was down there, minding his own business. There is nothing to think he was anything but a random target," ...

The victim happened to have a concealed-weapons permit, Brown said, and he was carrying a handgun. He pulled out the gun and fired once, hitting his attacker in the abdomen

Posted by Stefan Sharkansky at October 08, 2006 08:55 AM | Email This
Comments
1. world class city; world class crime.

Posted by: libbertine on October 8, 2006 08:54 AM
2. it' about dang time. citizens have a right to protect their lives. good thing the beating victim didn't wait for bystanders to help. good thing he didn't want to understand why the perp was 'angry.' a microcosm of a proper terrorism stance.

remember that trucker dragged from his rig & nearly killed during the LA riots? that's why we lawfully pack. no threats, no wild west, just a bee with a stinger. leave it alone and it leaves you alone.

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on October 8, 2006 08:58 AM
3. Good for him! One less deranged predator, one "living" victim. I'm just really surprised the Seattle police are not charging him. Let's wait to see the public outcry and push for gun control, along with them "feeling the perp's pain".

Posted by: katomar on October 8, 2006 09:02 AM
4. Yup, and the Seattle police were nearby but missing the action.

This is EXACTLY why concealed carry permits are issued.

Now watch the Libs complain the CC Permits should be banned.

Something like this just happened to a friend in Western Colorado.... 60-ish couple go out to their truck to take a drive, and are attacked by a neighbor's dog. He has CC and defends wife by killing the mutt right in their own driveway.

Offending dog-owner-neighbor calls sheriff deputies. They take good guy's gun and cite him for animal cruelty. Colo lets you shoot dogs barking at, or frightening/running your livestock. But apparently doesn't allow people to protect themselves.

After Locals complained to actual Sheriff, he reverses charge to be on the dog owner. After all, why issue hundreds of CC permits? Use them to shoot space invaders?

Posted by: Keb on October 8, 2006 09:21 AM
5. Let's watch how the ST editorial crew sets this up in the 'letters to the editor' section. Notice how they laid out the letters in today's piece...it was like a book. From Foley to mentioning of the Iraq war with sarcasm, then a letter mentioning troop casualties. Despicable little spin job the paid staff does on a regular basis in its attempt to sway public opinion.

Posted by: MB on October 8, 2006 09:43 AM
6. Nice shot!

Posted by: Jeff B. on October 8, 2006 10:06 AM
7. @5,

What else is new? The local rags are just pathetic mouthpeices of the Democrat party. They wil NEVER be fair or balanced. Best thing to do is cancel your subscription.

Posted by: pbj on October 8, 2006 10:39 AM
8. I'm a liberal, and I carry a concealed weapon (with permit). I also hunt. I don't find that inconsistent. Good for the guy defending himself.

Now, as for the layout of the ST editorial page: There is nothing liberal about it. Is MB overlooking their ringing endorsement of G.W. Bush for President in 2000? Only in 2004, when Bush's MO was clearly known did they finally endorse his opponent--and rightfully so, according to national public opinion.

In general the letters section merely reflects public opinion. In the most recent Newsweek Poll released Oct. 7, 2006, only 29% of respondents believe the Iraq war has made us safer. That Americans are correct in this thinking is backed by the Gov't's own National Intelligent Estimate! To say otherwise is just partisan spin. Bush's job approval rating sunk to a low of 33%. (That means 2 out of 3 people nationally do NOT approve of the job Bush has done.) And, should we NOT discuss troop casualties? Who does that help? No one except the terrorists. I, for one, want to know how many of our brave servicemen and women have been killed. Being mindful of their sacrifce is the least we can do if we are going to send them to war. You who would stifle dissent are the real threat to this great nation. God Bless America--and the REAL patriots who are standing up and saying NO MORE OF THIS!!

Posted by: Bob on October 8, 2006 10:42 AM
9. I doubt that he will be charged, regardless of how much the libs cry.
-------------
RCW 9A.16.050
Homicide -- By other person -- When justifiable.

Homicide is also justifiable when committed either:

(1) In the lawful defense of the slayer, or his or her husband, wife, parent, child, brother, or sister, or of any other person in his presence or company, when there is reasonable ground to apprehend a design on the part of the person slain to commit a felony or to do some great personal injury to the slayer or to any such person, and there is imminent danger of such design being accomplished; or

(2) In the actual resistance of an attempt to commit a felony upon the slayer, in his presence, or upon or in a dwelling, or other place of abode, in which he is.
---------------
With a little luck perps like this will get the idea that Seattle not a safe place to assault citizens and move to San Francisco where guns are banned.


Posted by: Obi-Wan on October 8, 2006 10:44 AM
10. This just proves the case that threats to public safety are not determined by the presence or absence of a weapon or the relative lethality of a given weapon [pistol vs baseball bat for instance]. What matters is the nature and intentions of the individuals involved. Here was an "unarmed" man attacking another with violent intent, using only his fists and feet. No law we can pass will take that option away. What if his victim had been a frail elderly lady instead? How is society going to deal with such people? We need an urgent revision of our civil commitment laws for public safety alone.

Posted by: yael on October 8, 2006 10:48 AM
11. Ahhhhhhhh yes....yet another undesirable consequence of Seattle New Age Progressivism!

Too bad the guy didn't target one of LENIN'S USEFUL IDIOTS for a good pummelling....instead of a Ted Nugent-loving NRA member! I wonder how David KLOWNstein would have responded to this maniac had KLOWNstein been the chosen target?
KLOWNstein would have started crying and curled up in the fetal position. KLOWNstein would have likely pulled a white hankie out of his khaki's and waved it furiously in hopes the maniac would recognize the France's National Slogan, "I SURRENDER"!

Sheesh....the guy "gut-shot" the maniac. OUCH!
Sadly, the maniac must have suffered a horrible death. Let's pray for his family.

After all, we are "Compassionate Conservatives" here at Sound Politics.....aren't we??

Posted by: Mr. Cynical on October 8, 2006 11:01 AM
12. Not only does Washington have among the most "liberal" use of lethal force laws in the U.S. (as cited above), but Norm Maleng has a great track record of making the right call in cases like this: if it was a good shooting 9and all information available at this point indicates it was), Norm will not prosecute.

That doesn't preclude a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the assailant's survivors, who will probably crawl out from under a rock to whine about how he was mentally ill and had no real intent to harm anyone.

While no-duty-to-retreat is clear black-letter law in this state, we need to become the 16th state to enshrine this in statute law -- complete with civil immunity in any legitimate case of self defense.

A bill will be filed (again) in Olympia in January to accomplish this. Let's see how the Democrat-controlled legislature handles this one. Senate Judiciary Committee chair Adam Kline (D-37) refused to give the bill a hearing in the 2006 session.

Posted by: Joe Waldron on October 8, 2006 11:05 AM
13. So according to the Seattle Times spin on this, the person who defended himself against an unprovoked random assault should be in Jail? I believe he's lucky it was a fatal wound, or there would be a liberal lawyer at the psycho's bedside trying to sue the guy. As it stands, if they can dig up a relative or "friend" we'll have to listen to a diatribe on how he was a nice guy, confused, with a history of drug, alcohol, et al abuse. He needed help, it's all the government's fault and so on. Maybe if enough of the idiots out there read this story, it will prevent another incident. As far as I'm concerned, one less loser on the streets.

Posted by: Alan on October 8, 2006 11:07 AM
14. alan wrote: So according to the Seattle Times spin on this, the person who defended himself against an unprovoked random assault should be in Jail?

Did they say this? Got a link?

Posted by: Bob on October 8, 2006 11:19 AM
15. Indeed to #7. I neither subscribe to the ST ink blob nor click on the web site ad links. Also cleanse the cookies after every visit. Recommend these same actions for all. Read em but don't feed em.

Posted by: MB on October 8, 2006 11:27 AM
16. I picked it up off google news, top of the Seattle local news. Jonathan Martin is the reporter. Read it and see if I mis-interpreted the starboard slant to his punctuation and wording.

Posted by: Alan on October 8, 2006 11:43 AM
17. I don't think the article was biased. Certainly not against the man who shot his assailant. The words "justifiable homicide" and this paragraph, for example, made it pretty clear to me what the story was:
detectives determined they did not have probable cause to book him into the King County Jail. The man was released. Police said they were withholding his name as a crime victim — of the assault.

Posted by: Stefan Sharkansky on October 8, 2006 11:57 AM
18. Stefan @ 17:

So can we expect you, then, to retitle this post "Signs that your local media does (sic) NOT suffer from a liberal bias?"

I'm guessing that the answer is no, because that wouldn't suit your fraudulent right-wing agenda.

Posted by: ivan on October 8, 2006 12:07 PM
19. Oh, Ivan, can you EVER not be stupid? The whole story had nothing to do with media bias. I wish you would get some kind of a life.

Posted by: katomar on October 8, 2006 01:02 PM
20. ivan cannot help his perpetual bitterness.
ivan uses bitterness to mask the fact that ivan is a paid Union Thug who could not survive without the extortion of Union Dues from hard-working people to "FEED" his anger & bitterness.
Just look at ivan...He's a BEHEMOUTH!!
http://www.34dems.org/Photos2006/Aug06-Weiss-Hannigan.jpg

ivan is the fattest guy on the LEFT (of course).

ivan will not rest until Union members must give ivan and his ilk ALL their earnings so he can pretend to fight for them.

Posted by: dude on October 8, 2006 01:22 PM
21. I say good for the victim!

Posted by: dcat on October 8, 2006 01:33 PM
22. Well what else was the poor guy supposed to do? Hand his gun over to the nearest liberal and say "Here, hold this while this guy pummels me to death. Gun ownership is soooo wrong, isn't it?"????

I am glad this guy could defend himself. Because it sure as heck looks like none of the anti-gun lobby was around to rescue him. If Norm Maleng presses any charges, it will be a total travesty!!

Posted by: Michele on October 8, 2006 01:34 PM
23. Ivan

Might help if you stayed on topic, or even the correct thread.


Posted by: chris on October 8, 2006 02:28 PM
24. What is so astounding about Ivan and his comments is that firstly, he gets on the wrong thread. Or maybe not. Then he makes incredible postulations such as Stefan having a "fraudulent right wing agenda". Does this mean he thinks Stefan is a liberal falsely spouting conservative thoughts? That his agenda is really not conservative? And does he think this is not a conservative site, but a liberal one in disguise? Does he maybe think Goldy is a closeted Republican? Ivan, look to thine own self for the definition of fraudulent.

Posted by: katomar on October 8, 2006 02:39 PM
25. Hopefully, this situation took care of itself once and for all and will not cost taxpayers anything and won't permit the lawyers to get fat either.

Posted by: KS on October 8, 2006 02:40 PM
26. I don't post here much - but there was NO contention of what happened. Nice balanced stories in all media.

The guy who shot his attacker was NOT charged, witnesses to the attack confirmed his story.

Totally self defense, and you folks jump all over the place.

I am a solid Seattle red and I agree - self defense is legitimate. Remembedr the Black Panthers and all those rifles?

Totally OK. There will be no stir on this one from anyone except the gleegul snots on this post - all over the map with hostility galore.

Folks here are nuts.

Posted by: Jack on October 8, 2006 02:44 PM
27. You know what the best part of that article in the Times was?

"It looked to me like he shot him in self-defense," said Linda Vu, who was across the street from the shooting, handing out fliers for political activist Lyndon LaRouche. "It's kind of crazy."

Something tells me Ms. Vu is an expert in crazy.

Posted by: wayne on October 8, 2006 02:48 PM
28. I wonder if the P-I or the Times will run a story on how the slain was clinically insane. Or is that only something they do for Muslims who get caught (shot or otherwise) trying to perpetrate crimes in the name of Allah?

Posted by: Marc on October 8, 2006 04:01 PM
29. What obvious bias on the part of the paper. You can tell the writer, Jonathan Martin, is incredulous that someone that just "happened" to have a concealed carry permit (those just fly in at you from the street as you drive around town it would seem), would defend his life from what appears to have been by all accounts an attempted murder.

I know I would have done the same (shot or beaten to death my attacker), I wonder if our dumbass journalist would have let himself continue to be assaulted or killed, just to make sure he didn't offend a tourist from Australia?

Posted by: H Moul on October 8, 2006 04:02 PM
30. Along the same lines...did anyone see the Dateline show on NBC last night? It was a story of a man from Arizona - 57 years old, father of 7, retired schoolteacher, Scoutmaster, etc -totally upstanding citizen. He was out hiking in the woods and was confronted by a 42 year old, with a history of violent outbursts, mental illness, etc. When the man ran towards him screaming "I'm going to kill you!", the older man pulled out a 10mm handgun, which he was licensed to carry, and shot the other man. He was charged and CONVICTED of 2nd degree murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison!! I couldn't believe it. The poor guy is appealing and I pray he wins!

Posted by: Suzihomemaker on October 8, 2006 04:36 PM
31. I have to assume the dead one was a republican, or the democrats will be screaming "election defection" and "set up" for sure.


Posted by: chris on October 8, 2006 04:38 PM
32. stick your hand into a meat grinder or a beehive, and guess what?!

i'm not ghoulishly gloating here. Early Grim Reaper has no fans with me. however, once in a blue moon--and--disproportionatley presented in media, good gun owners win over the evil violent among us. that's all. that's the point.

may both sides heal and may potential perps learn from this. life is about risks. YOUR risk to CHOOSE to screw with peaceful people. leave them alone. live & let live, or make your OWN bed.

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on October 8, 2006 04:46 PM
33. It would have been real nice if there were a police officer near this incident, but the Mayor is too busy p'ing money away on Cadillac Pee stalls for drug dealers and prostitutes, and his 10 Billion dollar dig to afford any police presence in downtown Seattle. I spent 1 1/2 hours on saturday night at and around Alki last night, and never saw one police officer.

And the democrats want us to elect them to protect this country. Ha

Posted by: GS on October 8, 2006 04:56 PM
34. Yeah, this is not a controversial issue or story at all. Trying to make it one doesn't make it so. I'm more pissed at the load of crap the "liberal media" sold us in the leadup to the mess in Iraq!! Now that was liberal bias, huh!

Posted by: Bob on October 8, 2006 04:59 PM
35. Comment #16 (Jones) is an accurate observation. Times reporter Jonathon Martin framed his report in this single sentence: "[T]his much is known: A young man was killed on a crowded sidedwalk... and the confessed shooter was allowed to walk out of a police station."

The report itself, in whole, is not biased-- but the Jones comment does not claim bias; it asks if anyone else sees a "starboard slant" (providing, of course, that one's perspective is facing aft.)

I've written a small boatload of news stories myself, mostly broadcast radio, and from the perspective of this sailor the theme of Martin's unbiased report clearly lists hard to... "the left."

And I doubt he even recognizes it.

Posted by: Handsome Lee on October 8, 2006 07:45 PM
36. I give it a week before we see news stories about the poor, misunderstood perpetrator and discussing how "community leaders" are requesting an audience to hear about why CCPs should be outlawed. I make some assumptions about the races of the victim and attacker, respectively, which may not be accurate. If not, we will probably see neither the news stories nor the "community outrage."

Posted by: Damian on October 8, 2006 08:01 PM
37. the assault victim is absolutely my hero - however it looks like he will incur huge legal bills no matter which way it plays out

Posted by: ajday on October 8, 2006 08:03 PM
38. Ivan is too much of an ignorant and arrogant lefty to even admit that he got the wrong thread. Sums it up.

Posted by: Jeff B. on October 8, 2006 08:26 PM
39. GUNS
--------------------
NRA is engaged in circular thinking
The National Rifle Association must be so proud of itself this week. Its members believe that every American has the right to be armed with an unlimited numbers of guns. The shootings in schools in different sections of the country, ending with the deaths of five innocent Amish girls, must make them feel exhilarated in the killers' free exercise of their Second Amendment rights.

I know their old retorts about "guns don't kill people, people kill people." Actually, it is people with guns that kill people.

What the NRA doesn't seem capable of realizing is that while guns don't kill people, the ready availability of guns contributes heavily to this country's scandalous crime rate. Gun-related crime in this country per capita is greater than any other country, or combination of countries in the entire Western world!

If ownership of guns made us safer, we would be the most secure people on Earth because personal ownership of guns here is the most prevalent in the world; actually, we are the least safe!

The NRA believes every household should have a gun for family protection. Protection from whom? Well, duh, all those other people with guns! What a classical example of circular thinking!

When will the NRA and its wholly owned subsidiary, the GOP, wake up to the fact that the prevalence of guns is the most direct contributor to the prevalence of gun-related crime?

James A. Young
Seattle
--Letter to the Editor, Seattle PI, October 6 2006.

Good timing.

Posted by: Michael on October 8, 2006 08:31 PM
40. Which is why, Mr Young, crime rates are lowest where gun ownership is highest. Or why washington, with high gun ownership and in the top five of CPL-holders per capita, has a significantly lower homicide rate than the U.S. national average?

Posted by: Joe Waldron on October 8, 2006 09:14 PM
41. Michael,

The letter by Mr. Young displays the profound historical ignorance of the anti-2nd amendment crowd.

The next amendment is: "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

The importance of this article will scarcely be doubted by any persons, who have duly reflected upon the subject. The militia is the natural defence of a free country against sudden foreign invasions, domestic insurrections, and domestic usurpations of power by rulers. It is against sound policy for a free people to keep up large military establishments and standing armies in time of peace, both from the enormous expenses, with which they are attended, and the facile means, which they afford to ambitious and unprincipled rulers, to subvert the government, or trample upon the rights of the people. The right of the citizens to keep and bear arms has justly been considered, as the palladium of the liberties of a republic; since it offers a strong moral check against the usurpation and arbitrary power of rulers; and will generally, even if these are successful in the first instance, enable the people to resist and triumph over them.

Supreme Court Justice Story 1833, Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States.

The prime reason for the 2nd amendment is so that the government should be always cognizant that the citizens hold the power, and are justified to use force against the government when the government usurps its Constitutional bounds.

Once guns are outlawed the government will have no reason to fear the people.

Posted by: JCM on October 8, 2006 09:22 PM
42. Gotta love idiots like Michael. He quotes a letter to the editor written by some loser and he somehow thinks he's created an original thought.

His point would be worth debating if it were his, but it's not. He quotes someone else, an idiot left wing Clinton flavored Kool-Aid drinker.

Michael, go back to elementary school and learn how to write and think for yourself.

Losers like Michael and James A. Young believe that all we have to do is pass another law and the perps will surrender their weapons and plead for mercy.

What a bunch of idiots, losers, and maroons.

Posted by: Obi-Wan on October 8, 2006 10:14 PM
43. Obi-wan, I posted that letter to show how ridiculous it was...

Posted by: Michael on October 8, 2006 10:21 PM
44. ...and I cringed when you did. I thought I recognised your name from other posts and didn't think that the letter you were posting reflected your POV.

Happens sometimes...

Posted by: alphabet soup on October 8, 2006 10:35 PM
45. bob - you're a boob...

Posted by: alphabet soup on October 8, 2006 10:45 PM
46. I am 100% supportive of self-defense killings when a homeowner is truly threatened by somebody invading their property, or when somebody is threatened with a deadly weapon anywhere. But a raving lunatic at a crowded Westlake Center at 11am with no weapon? Only his fists? Give me a break.

I remember a similar story from a couple years ago, where a UW freshman, high on drugs, jumped on some guy's hood, and the guy grabbed his gun out of the glove compartment and shot him to death. http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/shot032.shtml
No charges were filed in that case, either, because we have a pro-gun prosecutor who interprets the WA State Constitution in the most liberal way possible (which I don't necessarily fault him for)

I understand all the gloating right wingers at SP have expressed about this case, and I can see why the shooter did what he did - but c'mon, guys: we don't live in a third world country. And since when was un-needed violence and death something to celebrate?

The notion that "upstanding citizens" should just start blowing away every drunk and mentally ill street hobo to make themselves feel better is just plain sick.

And un-Christian, I might add.

Posted by: Benjamin on October 8, 2006 11:30 PM
47. "once in a blue moon--and--disproportionatley presented in media, good gun owners win over the evil violent among us. that's all. that's the point."

So, Jimmie - if it turns out the aggressor in this case had a long history of mental illness, are you still going to hold on to this "good vs. evil" cliche?

Posted by: Benjamin on October 8, 2006 11:35 PM
48. Benjamin, it matters not if this character had a long history of mental illness. The person he was kicking the crap out of didn't have time to research this, or call Dr. Phil. nor should he have had to.

End of story! End of the thug!

Posted by: Gs on October 9, 2006 12:09 AM
49. Benjamin-

To a person that's already been knocked to the ground, feet ARE lethal weapons. Being kicked and stomped to death is a particularly nasty way to die. (Not to mention the assailant had already articulated his intent to kill the victim...)

BTW, there's absolutely nothing un-Christian about defending ones self, family or bystander from an assault.

Regards,
-John

Posted by: jopalm on October 9, 2006 12:15 AM
50. Michael, I'm sorry to attack you, I hope you accept my apology.

Posted by: Obi-Wan on October 9, 2006 03:36 AM
51. Benjamin,

The rules of use of lethal force have 3 points. Means, intent, capacity.

In this case the assailant had the means, hands and feet, intent the statement of "I am going to kill you," capacity he had started the assault and knocked the victim down.

Use of force allows a victim to stop the assailant if serious harm could result.

Lastly it is judged form the victims perspective, does the victim have reason to believe that the conditions are meant.

The victim has no knowledge of the history of the perp, only the assailants stated intent and the attack. I person on the ground being kicked is in immediate life threatening danger.

Which is why the SPD kicked him loose.

GOOD SHOOT!

Posted by: JCM on October 9, 2006 07:29 AM
52. It's mostly suprise on the part of so called "progressives" in Seattle. Most are completely ignorant that concealed weapons permits exist! The country folk around the city of course know it but the slicks in town are clueless. Personally I think the Democrats have shown they don't want any of the control issue right now. Theres's been suprisingly little response to the string of shootings over the past few weeks. Good for this guy defending himself and let's hope this case stands as a precedent. The psychotic just attacked the wrong man at the wrong time and now the psycho is no more.

Posted by: BigJerry on October 9, 2006 08:12 AM
53. BigJerry,

I beg to differ with you,

The psychotic just attacked the right man at the wrong time and now the psycho is no more.

Posted by: GS on October 9, 2006 10:05 AM
54. I see a lot of people confusing liberals and Democrats with gun-grabbers, and I hope to set the record straight. Yes, the gun-grabbers have leached on to the Democratic party, and some of the Democratic leadership has gone along with them, but gun ownership among the Dem rank and file is not that different than among the Republicans (about %40 of Dems vs. about %50 of Republicans*). There is nothing particularly 'liberal' about gun control. Cities do tend to be more liberal and more anti-gun, but that is a spurious relationship.

Take home message: call gun-grabbers gun-grabbers, not liberals.

*This data comes from the General Social Survey. You can explore this data at: http://sda.berkeley.edu/

Posted by: McGinnes on October 9, 2006 10:08 AM
55. Benjamin (#46):
You should think before you write. Who, besides you, ever said anyone "should just start blowing away every drunk and mentally ill street hobo to make themselves feel better".
"But a raving lunatic at a crowded Westlake Center at 11am with no weapon? Only his fists?" Is your point that the only legitimate targets for self defense by firearm are mentally stable attackers in uncrowded locations in the afternoon? Do you think it is not possible to be beaten to death (or maimed) by fists and feet alone?
And apparantly you think that those "high on drugs" should also be immune from self defense. Gee, so I guess when you are suddenly assaulted, you should order a psychiatric evaluation, breathalyser test and blood tox screen on the person viciously attacking you before deciding whether to defend yourself.
I hope you are never put in such a situation, and that if you are, one of us right wing nut jobs is in the vicinity to protect you. We saved the French and we can save you too.

Posted by: Steve on October 9, 2006 10:29 AM
56. Touche (#53)

Posted by: BigJerry on October 9, 2006 10:33 AM
57. Benjamin 47--i don't care about the agressor's mental state. who in their right mind is going to wait, continue receiving a serious beating and determine the perp's "feelings?"

an immediate and dangerous threat on one's life demands one's survival to fight back. gun, stick, brick, whatever. 20-20 hindsight is great--if--you're not the guy on the ground being assaulted and later die form internal bleeding & organ failures. yes--people die from fists and kicks in case you don't know.

some gun owners will overreact and some won't--but i'm willing to take that chance for my own protection. by in large, we don't have dodge cities where we have concealed laws. most people know that and comply.

i would instead ask trial lawyers and legislators-(not the legal gun owners) why they continue to release these unstable, dangerous people among us.

how about rioting hordes in your neighborhood or places you frequent burning cars after a sports championship? not unrealistic. happens often enough. look at recent history. LA riots after jury verdicts? WTO Seattle riots and anarchists? Katrina-like civil anarchy and looting/rioting? you could be caught unwittingly in the middle & very fast.

do you want to confront these people and reason with them? ask about their mental states? worried about THEIR feelings? or--do you want some effective means to protect YOUR family, friends, house or property?

Posted by: jimmie-howya-doin on October 9, 2006 10:34 AM
58. What do we know about this assailant? The reporter seems to be a bit lazy on this story.

Mentally unbalanced: check
On drugs: perhaps
Armed with deadly force: ?????

Did the assailant have a gun? A knife? What would a cop have to do to justify discharging his weapon like this citizen did?

Speaking of mentally unbalanced, the citizen is vouched for by a LaRouchite!

What if the citizen just spent 40 hours taking a self-defense course, time equivalent to what he's probably spent discharging his weapon at a shooting gallery?

He would have put the perp on the ground and a man would still be alive. Right to life indeed!

I respect gun rights but with rights come responsibilities. A man who does something like this and walks away patting himself on the back is a sick man.

Posted by: Not Amused by Right-Wing Bloodlust on October 9, 2006 11:04 AM
59. Walking from Mario's towards teh Pike Place market about five years ago a punk-ass tried roughing up a guy who was just walking by. The intended victim, dressed in sport coat and slacks, whopped the tar out of his antagonist incliding a half dozen elbows followed by knees to the face. It happened so fast that the action was over in seconds. I assume the guy who was the initial victim to have been ex-SF or maybe a Federal Marshal. The recipient of the whoopin' was totally shattered and in a heap when the police got there about a half-minuite later.

Posted by: JDH on October 9, 2006 11:44 AM
60. Not Amused,

Read my post #51 on use of force.

Have you ever been in a fight with a deranged individual?

I have. Several times.

Spent years on the fire department, and got involved in dealing with out of control mental patients. One particular incident involved a women 5'6" 130. It took 3 firefighters, 2 cops and 2 guys from the ambulance crew to subdue the patient. 7 on 1 and it was a close thing at that.

Someone in that state deciding to kick the crap out of you on street is a lethal threat. The victim was knocked down, 1 or 2 kicks to the head and we'd have a dead or seriously injured victim. The victim was in under immediate threat of death or serious injury. That makes use of lethal force in self-defense justified.

Posted by: JCM on October 9, 2006 11:46 AM
61. Please do not forget the operative words that the perp used before he knocked the victim down and started kicking him: "I'm going to kill you." In the U.K. or Berkeley the victim would be dead now.

Posted by: G Jiggy on October 9, 2006 12:54 PM
62. "Not Amused by Right-Wing Bloodlust" seems to know absolutely nothing about lethal force and disparity of force in regards to armed and unarmed assaults. See JCM's post above. He lays it down very well.

Posted by: wqbang on October 9, 2006 02:27 PM
63. I don't carry it, but we have several firearms in our home, so do our neighbors. And it's no coincidence there has not been a break-in that I know of in our neighborhood in years. Burglars know better than to target places that they have a good chance of leaving feet first.

I think most people who know how to use firearms also know when lethal force is necessary. People who assault and threaten to kill you are usually not joking around.

Posted by: Palouse on October 9, 2006 02:40 PM
64. Kristopher Kime was beaten to death by an unarmed man not all that far from Westlake Center. It appears that this man took quite a beating before he went for his gun. It wasn't his first choice.

Posted by: Michael on October 9, 2006 04:21 PM
65. I want to quote a couple posts here because I'm a little pissed at their authors:
"As far as I'm concerned, one less loser on the streets."
"The psychotic just attacked the right man at the wrong time and now the psycho is no more."
Apparently we should kill off all the mentally ill, and the world would be much safer. That "psycho" was a person suffering from schizophrenia, and he was irrationally violent in a fit of illness. In a court, it doesn't matter if he told the victim that he was going to kill him, because a person suffering from a mental illness clearly has no concept of right or wrong. What happened that day in Seattle was a tragedy, I feel equally sorry for the man who was beaten and for the man who lost his life BECAUSE HE WAS SICK. It horrifies me that people can say the world is a better place without him. You're ignorance makes it easy for me to say that the world would be a better place without people like you.
And for the record, the man's name was Daniel Culotti. Maybe if we acknowledge him as a person rather than a nameless monster it will be harder for people to pretend that his life was worth so little.


Posted by: laurie on November 2, 2006 03:35 PM
Post a comment
Name:


Email Address:


URL:


Comments:


Remember info?