Posted on 08/04/2009 5:02:39 AM PDT by marktwain
A DeKalb County schoolteacher carjacked early Sunday scored a measure of revenge against his attackers -- thanks in part to their poor sense of direction.
More DeKalb stories » Decatur annexing former DeVry campus Learn how to fight bullying in schools Motel shooting leaves 2 injured After-school programs feel pinch New year, same fiscal problems .Derek Harper, 47, had just returned to his Lithonia home around 1:15 a.m. when two unidentified gunmen surprised him from behind, forcing the Evansdale Elementary teacher out of his car and onto the ground, demanding money.
“After they figured out I didn’t have any cash on me they got into my van,” he said. His narrow garage helped Harper sneak away.
“One of them was having trouble getting into the passenger’s side, so while he was doing that I took off,” said Harper, also the assistant track coach at Stephenson High.
As he ran the gunmen started firing, striking Harper once in the arm before speeding off in his van, heading directly toward a dead end on Phillips Place.
Knowing they’d be forced to turn around, Harper ran inside and grabbed his .380 pistol.
“I was waiting for them,” he said. Harper estimates he fired two to three bullets, which might have contributed to the driver crashing the van less than a block away. A small amount of blood was found inside the vehicle.
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
Not sure exactly how I feel on that one... On one hand, once you fire at me I would have no mental problem returning the favor. On the other hand, his life at that moment was not in imminent danger since they were fleeing the scene.
Not sure of Georgia law, the article made no mention.
I dont know the law, but given the opportunity I hope,I would have done exactly what this man did.
The only reason this man is alive is because the thieves couldnt shoot well. In my mind that means he has every right to try to kill them.
You know...in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. So they may have been thinking...did he fire 5 or 6 shots...
The scum had his property and had already tried to take his life. Laws need to be changed.
I carry, so I run through scenarios in my mind as to what I would do in different situations. You have to take your local laws into consideration. In this case, being where I am I would have to let them pass unless there was an immediate threat to me. It would not be worth going to jail for.
Happily, here in Georgia we do have a Castle Doctrine. What a great thinking young man, knowing they would have to come back, he sets up an ambush and blasts them in their get away. Very well done.
His problem is that he was too focused on relating how clever he was. He should have simplified the story.
“After being shot, he armed himself.
Next he sees them returning to the scene of the crime and fearing for his life, he opens fire.”
Don’t let the cops get inside your head to explain your thought process! Just repeat the elements I related and SAY NO MORE!! (Oh...and get a bigger gun!)
Well they shot this man so they had guns in the car, he could always say they fired at him again on the way out.
Self-defense.
They shot him in the arm before he had a weapon.
I would say that showed intent to kill him,
and he was in his rights to self defense.
But that would be a lie, and witnesses are a hard thing to control, aren't they?
At that time, yes. But afterwards, it would not be considered so as they were fleeing the scene. At that point it is revenge, and while I'm good with that, here in Iowa it would get you multiple years in jail. I don't think it's worth it.
Groups here are working to change the laws, but not getting very far at this point.
Blood on the interior, bullet holes in the windshield and maybe the body of the vehicle. Lots of work needs to be done on that van.
The perps wanted his money, not the van. He should have just let them take it. Vans don't garner respect when cruisin' the hood so most likely they would have eventually dumped it.....
I put a sign on my car once that said "Please steal this car!" Some guy put a $5 bill with a note attached to it under my wiper blade saying "No way dude! Here's some cash to help you start saving for a new one....."
By shooting, he may have prevented the criminals from speeding away in the van and possibly injuring/killing other motorists or repeating the crime. I live in Georgia (but love East Tenn.!) and this one has me going “Way to go!” Our news broadcasts oftentimes are nothing more than a reading of crimes and murders that have occurred.
A cop can use deadly force to prevent a violent felon from fleeing. Including a shot in the back, as cops routinely shoot at fleeing suspect vehicles.
A citizen should have the same right.
Someone who has already demonstrated an intent to kill should not be given the opportunity to get away.
This country needs an “OPEN SEASON DOCTRINE”
.....where thugs, once they commit armed robbery and threaten lives, can be taken down at will with absolutely no benefit of the law on their side.
I am also in Iowa and I am sure of how I feel about this. The man is a hero and was right to shoot the perps, even if they were fleeing. A vehicle is a deadly weapon, particularly when being weilded by a criminal who has already shown he has a desire to kill you, as evidenced by his shooting you moments before.
The man needs a larger gun. If size is a consideration then he should get a pocket .40, Kahr makes nice ones. Maybe something in a Kel-Tec.
Like I said, I agree in theory, but would you be willing to go to jail? Because in Iowa, you likely would. That is the question.
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