Posted on 01/09/2005 8:00:46 AM PST by dirtboy
There are too many handguns in the wrong hands in Camden, which had 54 homicides in 2004. But the city is fortunate that one of those guns was in the hands recently of a shop owner named Ngoc Le.
An immigrant from Vietnam, Ngoc Le and his wife, Kelly, run a cell-phone and fishing-supply store in the city. On Dec. 31, they were working in the shop when a man came in and asked to buy a cellular-phone clip.
As Kelly Le turned her back, the man jumped over a counter and grabbed her, holding a knife to her throat. She called out to her husband, who was in another room.
In that room, he kept a licensed .380-caliber revolver in a drawer for protection.
What happened next was captured, on audio and partly on video, by a security camera in the shop.
Ngoc Le, holding his gun, pleaded with the assailant: "I'll let you go if you let her go."
But the attacker kept holding the knife to Kelly Le's throat and threatened, "I'll kill her." He moved, with the woman in his grasp, toward another room.
The tense standoff continued. Ngoc Le repeatedly told the assailant that he wouldn't shoot if the man released his wife. The attacker refused.
Ngoc Le was pointing his gun at the man from four feet away, but the man was using Kelly Le as a shield. At that moment, Kelly Le's knees buckled, and she slumped in her assailant's grasp. Ngoc Le saw his opening and fired once, hitting the man in the head, killing him instantly.
Perhaps 20 seconds had elapsed from the time the intruder jumped the counter until he was shot dead.
Ngoc Le's split-second decision turned out to have significance even beyond saving the life of his wife. DNA tests on the dead man, 32-year-old Antonio Diaz Reyes, proved that Reyes was the serial rapist who had attacked three women since November in broad daylight in Camden's central business district. He also was suspected of robbing a pharmacy in Camden at knifepoint.
There are too many illegal handguns in Camden, in Philadelphia and across the country. But this one episode is a perfect example of what law-abiding gun owners want everyone to understand in the never-ending debate over the Second Amendment. Privately owned firearms, properly certified and used responsibly, serve a legitimate - and sometimes life-saving - purpose.
You couldn't find a better place to illustrate this point, unfortunately, than in Camden. In addition to a rising homicide rate, the city of 79,000 had more than 800 aggravated assaults in 2004 and at least 750 robberies.
Commending Ngoc Le's deed ought not to be misconstrued as an encouragement of vigilante justice. He did what he had to do, on his own property, when his wife faced imminent grievous harm, and only after he gave his assailant an opportunity to live. No civilian in his or her right mind would want to be forced into that life-or-death decision. It is an awful thing to take a human life, no matter how desperate the situation or how despicable the victim.
It is not an argument for the death penalty, either; the government, in a court of law, has an option that Ngoc Le in that urgent moment did not have: to lock the rapist away where he could hurt no law-abiding citizens.
But this shooting, perhaps, is a symbol that the citizens of Camden have had enough. In that sense, if ever there was a right time for a justifiable homicide, this case was it. The city should recognize Ngoc Le in some official way for that heroism.
As if summoned by the sound of that single gunshot, federal prosecutors announced last week that they are riding to the city's rescue. A team of federal marshals will target the 50 most dangerous criminals in the city, and offenders who use guns will be singled out for federal prosecution.
This is welcome news in a city in which the working relationship between local and state police has deteriorated. U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie should be commended for recognizing the city's urgent need, especially after state Attorney General Peter Harvey balked at devoting more law-enforcement resources in Camden. Federal lawmakers will need to back up this promise with real dollars over the long term.
Speaking of money, there was a $30,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the serial rapist. Now that he's dead, the law firm that helped to put up the money has discussed donating the money to a battered women's shelter or a victims crisis center. Here's another thought: Why not split it among Reyes' victims, including Kelly Le?
This guy would *not* have been locked away for life. He would have had state paid attorneys (and probably the Mexican government) arguing for probation and rehabilitation. We would have heard how he was oppressed by society and deserved a "second chance."
I with you there
I agree with you--despite the disclaimers, this is a pretty amazing editorial. Usually, an editorial like this would be nothing but disclaimers: ("He should have called the professionals to handle this..." "What if he had missed...?" "What if he shot himself in the foot...?" "What if it was all a misunderstanding and the victim was found not guilty at trial...? "What if a child had found the gun before he was able to use it...?")
NJ ping. A hero gun owner in Camden!
I can see where they might think that doing may be perceived as it being a bounty on the perp's death. However, I would say "go for it"
BUMP!!!!!!! Why don't they do this!!!!!
Nice work Mr. Le. Another felon retired
Great post...here,s another thought for you...why doesn,t the state and Camden pay the man and his wife at least 20% of what it would have cost the people to try,convict and incarcerate this perp for the next 30 years or maybe give them an all in tax holiday for the next 30 years...but,alas,won't happen because the bleeding hearts will cry that it will encourage crime...round up the sickos and send them to tsunami countries, under direct supervision by Clinton and Kerry and the other marxist vermin that are destroying America, to work as a gesture of goodwill to all people
And at minimal taxpayer expense.
Oh, I don't know. He did say that he was willing to release this serial rapist if the rapist would free his wife.
More like tens of thousands of times per year. Most of which go unreported to police, or media. One doesn't need to actually fire a gun in a life threatening situation to have it save your life.
".380-caliber revolver in a drawer for protection."
Must be an interesting revolver, never heard of such a creature.
The wife owns a moderately priced .380 Bersa, all steel, model 85 (13 + 1 pre-ban) semi-auto. It is a Walther clone, but Bersa of Argentina went much further, it is twice the gun Walther is, much, much finer workmanship.
The newer aluminum framed Bersa Thunder has gotten outstanding reviews, ( http://www.gunblast.com/Bersa_Thunder380.htm ) but I much prefer the earlier all steel model 85.
I believe they're refering to some states regulations that demand CCW holders to be certified (read, show competency) with their firearm.
I'm with you there. It was a team effort really. The Mrs., Kelly, buckled her knees, and Ngoc shot the dirtbag. They both deserve the reward. They ought to throw in a box of whatever ammo he was shooting.
Must have been excelent shot placement, to kill him with a puny .380! Lots of folks say you need a caliber, that starts with a 4.
Good catch. I doubt the Inky staffer who wrote this can tell an automatic from a wheelgun. But I'm not gonna bust on them too hard, given that they got a lot of the bigger picture correct for a change.
A .22 at close range to the head can be quite lethal. A .45 does no good if you don't hit what you're aiming at. At the end of the day, a well-placed shot is more important than the caliber that you're shooting - and the guy probably wanted a gun in the store that his wife could handle as well.
OH THAT IS FUNNY!!,and it's probably the truth.
Then again, not all Rights are Rights to our government....
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.