SC Sheriff: Dead motel robber was going to rape clerk

wfie.com ^ | 26 July, 2011 | Kelsey Wheatcroft

[marktwain]

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) -

Deputies say a man is dead after the motel clerk he tried to sexually assault and rob early Monday morning fought back and killed him.

Investigators say 43-year-old Vincent Carson of Orangeburg entered a Days Inn motel at 133 sometime before 6:00 a.m.

As the female clerk went into the breakfast room to prepare breakfast, she found Carson waiting inside. The victim said Carson held a knife to her throat and said, "This is a robbery."

Investigators said when her attacker slipped the knife into his pants pocket to begin tying her up with plastic ties, the woman pulled a handgun from under her shirt, turned, and fired into the man's chest at point blank range.

Deputies say the victim was about 100 pounds lighter than Carson and stood at least a foot shorter than him.

When deputies got to the scene, they found the suspect unresponsive on the floor. Richland County Coroner Gary Watts said Carson died from a single gunshot to the chest.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said Carson's intent was not only to rob the motel, but also to rape the clerk.

[Broker]

drill, drill, drill. Aim for the crainium?

[papertyger]

I’m as happy as a little gurl!

[Broker]

Never had to use Army combat training but you’re very right. Even in training, confusion rules. Shooting and defensive skills require training to develop automatic responses. Priop planning & preparation prevents piss poor performance. Go to the range, practice quick fire.

[Salamander]

I ~knew~ that was coming....;D

[papertyger]

Well “hello, my name is Susan,” just didn’t seem appropriate....

[Voice of Reason1]

Something to remember when those of the ‘Only ones’ set who tell you that defending yourself isn’t like in the movies or that carrying a gun is dangerous because the criminal may take it away from you –

What is the alternative?

People don’t carry because they want to get into ‘wild west’ shootouts and other such nonsense; they do so because they want to be able to defend themselves like this woman.

Not carrying would have meant a rape or worse.

[dools0007world]

I bought a Springfield Armory XD S&W 40 cal three years ago. You can bet I’ve been practicing. 10 shots consistantly in 4” radius. Trying to get better, but have had the range time to get there.

It was Springfield’s return to premium fire arm market. Has a really distinctive sound, almost as devastating as a 45 with a lot less kick. Very easy to keep clean.

[fredhead]

When I was a teen my Dad was teaching me to shoot his Czech .32 semi-auto he had brought back from the war. we had set up some targets at the edge of the woods and he was teaching me one handed, you know arm straight out, using the sights. He missed almost the same as he hit.

Mom comes out, asks to give it a try. She points the pistol without sighting, empties the 8-round magazine, and only misses two.

Louis L'Amour always stated that you aim by pointing your finger.

[marktwain]

It is a technique that can work at very close range. It works best if you bring up the pistol so that it is between your eye and the target. Then your brain does subconscious aiming for you, because you can see where the pistol is pointing.

It is a controversy to this day, but the shots who win the "practical" shooting matches all use the sights, and have practiced so much that aiming is a conditioned reflex.

Pistols are much harder to shoot well than rifles or shotguns. The reason that so many people are lousy pistol shots is because of bad habits or lack of any training.