DONT LET THIS HAPPEN TO YOU

[ricknadine1111]

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: Santos <prospero.santos@gmail.com>
Subject: AA Mechanic Loses Arm in Robbery
Date: Thu, 30 Oct 2008 1431 +0000


Texas Man Loses Arm After Fight With Robber
WATAGUA, Texas (CBS) _D Doctors had to amputate the arm of a Watauga, Texas homeowner Wednesday morning after he was injured in a fight with a crook. The man interrupted a robbery attempt in front of his house and ended up getting stabbed and then shot with his own gun, reports CBS station KTVT-TV in Dallas.

Debris _C including the homeowner's shotgun _C from the scuffle was scattered in the yards of several homes as police continued their investigation nearly seven hours after the man first interrupted the robbery, authorities said.

According to reports, the homeowner heard some noise near his portable trailer parked outside his house in the 6000 block of Sundown Drive and went outside. His wife called 911 and woke a friend who had stayed the night at the house.

The robber, who was armed with a knife, struggled with the homeowner and his guest in the driveway. During the scuffle the homeowner dropped his gun and as the men clamored for the weapon, it went off and hit the homeowner in the arm. The house guest was also stabbed during the altercation.

Officials later said doctors amputated the man's arm because his injuries were so severe. The injury is a detrimental loss for the victim, who works as a mechanic for American Airlines and was also a part-time contractor.

One neighbor heard the gunshot, but dismissed the noise because he did not suspect it would have been a gunshot in his neighborhood.

Police continue their search for the alleged thief/attacker. "Since daylight we found a few additional items that came out of the trailer," explained Watauga Police Det. Jason Babcock. "Apparently whoever broke in to this trailer took some items and stashed them along the way in between houses."

Residents in the neighborhood say they will now be more diligent about their personal safety, including Nancy Bennett, who usually works nights and comes home in the early morning hours. She thinks the man could have been searching for an easy target.


Police believe there may have been more than one suspect. There were security cameras set up on the garage but they weren't working.

Authorities urge residents to call police instead of confronting anyone at any time of the day.

[jazman]

Man, that is a tough one, I feel for the guy. Not saying it would have been the right thing to do, but if he had stayed inside and called the cops he might still have 2 arms. Whatever he would have lost to the thief would not have been worth an arm.

[kurac]

If you go out armed to confront an intruder you better be ready to shoot or this can easily happen. I have a former brother in law that got shot with his own gun in a similar way, luckily they didn't have to amputate his whole leg, the .38 special went in right below his knee and went the length of his leg and came out the bottom of his foot, ouch!

[Fjold]

Why do you get into a knife fight when you have a shotgun?

[Spiggy]

isn't it said that anyone with a melee weapon within 15-20 yards is a viable threat? especially if one has to load a shotgun or draw a weapon from a holster?

[leelaw]

isn't it said that anyone with a melee weapon within 15-20 yards is a viable threat? especially if one has to load a shotgun or draw a weapon from a holster?

The general "rule" is that 21 feet is the distance at which you can perceive the threat of an incoming attacker with a knife, draw and fire a round on target before he closes the distance and makes contact. Closer and you're almost guaranteed to get stabbed.

[Spiggy]

The general "rule" is that 21 feet is the distance at which you can perceive the threat of an incoming attacker with a knife, draw and fire a round on target before he closes the distance and makes contact. Closer and you're almost guaranteed to get stabbed.

ah, then my number is prudence

[masameet]

Poor guy.

Texas -- where the Stand Your Ground law allows you to protect your property by shooting somebody dead. Doesn't seem to work all the time though.

[Clodbuster]

Someone breaking into your trailer that is on your property is a viable threat...melee weapon in hand or not.
How the intruder even got close enough to struggle with the owner and his friend is sort of stupid... If this was inside a house, maybe. But outside?
Probably though 2vs1 was good enough odds not to shoot.


Clod

isn't it said that anyone with a melee weapon within 15-20 yards is a viable threat? especially if one has to load a shotgun or draw a weapon from a holster?

[trinydex]

The general "rule" is that 21 feet is the distance at which you can perceive the threat of an incoming attacker with a knife, draw and fire a round on target before he closes the distance and makes contact. Closer and you're almost guaranteed to get stabbed.

would it be legit for him to have already drawn on the thief while investigating?

[Crusader]

would it be legit for him to have already drawn on the thief while investigating?

Hell yeah, it's Texas!

[Snapping Twig]

Never negotiate with a firearm. Once the gun clears leather, it's shooting time. Harsh but true.

My prayers are with the victim.

[ohsmily]

1) don't go putting yourself into danger (and possibly lose your arm) if you aren't physically threatened. Is your trailer worth your arm or your life?

2) IF you DO go outside to confront the threat, for ----- sake, don't let the ahole close the distance on you with a damn knife. If your life is threatened, fire your weapon and deal with the consequences later knowing it was your life or his.