First time for everything I guess

Moon Rat

Moon Rat

Member
Last night, my girlfriend and I went into Jacksonville to have dinner at her favorite restaurant because it was her birthday. After that, she decided to take a drive down by the river walk and because it was very busy due to the great weather we have been having, she wanted to park and take a stroll. I had to drive around and around for a good 20 minutes or more and was about to give up when a spot came open. We were walking along the river up towards the shops when she saw a guy pointing a gun at another couple. I told my girlfriend to stay put and I tried to get as close as I could with my gun pulled. I guess the guy heard me because he quickly turned my way, so I yelled at him to drop the gun, but he shot in my direction. I don’t think he saw me, so he shot randomly towards where I was hunkered down.

When I stood up, he did see me and that moment and immediately pointed his gun at me and fired. I returned fire and then he ran. The couple and I called the cops. They (the cops) found a few drops of blood, so they are assuming that I hit him. They called on the radio asking that all the hospitals and walk-in clinics be checked. I have to go into the police department this morning and fill out a report. One lucky note was that my story matched the couples story that he fired first. I’m kind of sorry I hit him, but I hope he’s going to be OK. It was more like instinctive than anything. I thought for sure the cops would take me in, but they all acted like it was no big deal. In fact, the one cop told me good job. There must have been 5 cop cars there with their lights on. It was the first time I pulled my gun in that type of situation. You just never know. Later, I thought what if I would have just let the crook rob the couple? Would that have been all there was to it?

I haven’t slept all night. I have to meet a Detective at 10 a.m. I don’t know what to expect. I called my son in Hawaii. He used to be in law enforcement working for the DOJ as an FBI agent and also ATF, but he’s retired. He said he’s going to call the police and then call me back to let me know if I should take a lawyer along. I asked why did I need a lawyer and he said just for my own good. It’s become a crazy world. I called a bail bondsman and he told me that if I need to get bailed out, my lawyer will know what to do. My mind is racing so fast, I can’t think of anything else, except what happened last night and maybe what I should have done instead of shoot. I’ve never prayed so much.
 

While I don't like our gun laws, I do like the fact you were willing without hesitation, to assess the situation and act fast.
I'm sure the couple who was looking to be robbed or worse is thankful you were there.
Best of luck with law enforcement and your statement today. I worked with NYSP, so I have respect they will do their job in this situation with you all.
 
Your shooting could have killed an innocent bystander. That's been happening a lot lately. Dead, innocent people and children, not shot at but dead nonetheless. Ricochet bullets, what a way to go.
 

Pepper said:
Your shooting could have killed an innocent bystander. That's been happening a lot lately. Dead, innocent people and children, not shot at but dead nonetheless. Ricochet bullets, what a way to go.
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sorry to say Peps... if it hadn't been for @Moon Rat , there's a great likelihood that not only would the couple be dead or seriously injured, this armed robber ( we can only presume that's what he was).. would go on to do this again with more people.. perhaps now he's been shot and injured he'll think twice.. and hopefully the police will get him and he'll be off the streets and no threat to anyone else..

Moon Rat.. i think you were very Brave to go to the rescue of the couple.. , I hope sincerely that you're not arrested..keep us updated..
 
What part of the sentence “drop the gun” is so hard to understand?

As we know, crazed-people are dangerous…

“I’m kind of sorry I hit him, but I hope he’s going to be OK. It was more like instinctive than anything.”

“It was the first time I pulled my gun in that type of situation. You just never know.”

“Later, I thought what if I would have just let the crook rob the couple?”

“Would that have been all there was to it?”

According to the story you’ve recited: the volatile, unforeseen scene cast you into a sudden moral dilemma, which presented, unleashed, a mandatory principled decision: ergo dooming any judgment made bound and destined with repercussion.

While events unfolded, your “instinctive” reaction superseded any contradictory values you might wrestle with, as there was no time to debate which option, course of action, solicits the less damaging path to take.

Such horrific situations, as you’ve endured, are not always a matter of “right vs. wrong”. Only you, at that moment, can decide which was, [is] the best way to respond.

The only thing I wonder about is, what does a leading man pray for? “I’ve never prayed so much.”
 
Devi said:
And if they point a gun at your loved ones, you're not going to raise a finger to defend them?

(It's up to you; I don't have a dog in this fight either way.)
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That would be the worst case scenario. I would much prefer jumping in the way to protect them. That is a tough question. I won't buy or carry, because I don't want anyone to. It is already the wild wild west, and there is no where to run. It is my preference, certainly not everyone's.
 
No good turn goes unpunished. You’re going to have a very difficult day, moon rat.

I’m surprised the first response wasn’t to call the police and then take out of the gun. This reminds me of the movies when the woman stands there doing nothing. She could have called and sirens might have distracted him or they’d be there to search for him immediately.

There‘re a lot of different scenarios that could have played out. Your shot could have panicked him and he shot the couple. Or he might have run. Or he returned shots and hit innocent people.

One of the lesser of the evils seems be the thief gets what they’re after. Possessions can be replaced, lives can’t.
 
Moon Rat, just remember, if you go in voluntarily, you are free to leave voluntarily, unless they tell you you are under arrest. Will not happen, no doubt, just a fact to know. Since the interview is not custodial, they need not read your Miranda rights, but still should. No need to be nervous, if they get snooty, just walk out.
 
I spent three and half hours in the police department yesterday. After I was taken to a cubby hole of a room with a table and 3 chairs in it and offered a drink, that’s when the “interview” began. First, I had to write on a tablet in my own words everything that happened. Once the female detective read it, she was joined by another male detective. They went over it reading it back to me sentence by sentence. After each sentence they would pause and ask a question, even if it really didn’t have any meaning. Every sentence was followed by at least one question or more. I wrote the words “the couple.” The detective asks “What do you mean “the couple.” I said “You know, a couple. A man and a woman.” More questions, “Are you sure it was a man and a woman?” On and on it went. When we were done, two more detectives came in and asked almost the same questions. By the way, everything was on video and voice recorders.

The one detective asked me if I aimed. I told him no, not really, I aimed at him, but not at any certain part of his body. He said “ ok, you did aim, but not necessarily to kill. Am I right?” I told him yeah, that sounds about right.” My son said they may ask for your gun. If they do, make sure you get a receipt with the serial number written on the receipt and don’t be surprised if you don’t get it back. Some states do not return weapons that were involved in a crime. I told my son I didn’t do anything criminal. He said, nonetheless, some states don’t return weapons.

About halfway through, I was wishing I would have stayed home, but that would have only brought them to me. As we were finishing, another detective came into the room and took one of my detectives out into the hallway. When he came back in, the detective told us that the CODIS report from the swab of blood they took off the ground came back from the lab. He told all of us in the room that the man shot has outstanding warrants in North Carolina and Tennessee, but he didn’t say for what. The man wasn’t in custody as of when I left the station. They told me that when they get this guy, I may be called to testify in court if it gets that far. I told them I never had a good look at his face. He said that wouldn’t be a problem. His DNA puts him there.

As they walked me down the hallway towards the door, the female cop said the couple involved said to tell you thanks. I thought that was nice.
 
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