WACO, TEXAS — When a man tried to steal the purse of an 84-year-old woman near a Walmart, many customers in the immediate area took action to try and stop him.
The man, identified as 27-year-old Andre Dawson, found himself in the middle of an angry group of people. A struggle ensued as he tried to get away, and then he was finally able to break free.
What he may have failed to realize at the time was that an armed woman was pointing a gun at him. As Dawson tried to run away after breaking free, a single shot can be heard on the video. Dawson, phased by the shot, falls to the ground but is not struck by the bullet.
The group of concerned citizens catches up to Dawson and restrains him until police arrive.
If you haven’t yet, watch the video above and let’s discuss.
First, I want to make one thing perfectly clear; we never want to see the bad guy get away. Sometimes though, it’s inevitable. Second, an armed citizen should be armed for very specific reasons, one of which should not be to shoot at a fleeing purse snatcher.
While the laws differ from state to state, this woman would find herself in some serious trouble in many states based on how she handled this situation.
The bottom line is this; when you draw your firearm, you should be drawing that firearm in anticipation of using deadly force. If you aren’t anticipating the possibility of using deadly force, that firearm should stay in it’s holster. After all, discharging a firearm in the direction of another person is using deadly force, and that’s exactly what occurred here.
Had this woman struck and injured or killed this man, she’d likely have a tough time convincing a jury that she acted in self-defense.
Not to mention the entire time before Dawson tries to run away (while he’s being held down by others), the armed woman is pointing the gun at all of them at the same time.
If I were, say, that guy in the overalls below, I’d be pretty pissed off if someone was pointing a gun in my direction while I was trying to help detain someone. But that’s just me.
The woman is reported to have contacted the police station and is cooperating in the investigation.
