Police: Motorcyclist uses helmet to knock gun away from man threatening teens

www.kptv.com ^ | march 31, 2015

[lowbridge]

A man who pulled a gun on two teens and said, "Get ready to die," had the weapon knocked out of his hand by a man wielding a motorcycle helmet, according to deputies.

The situation began at 4 p.m. Sunday in Salem. Investigators said two 17-year-old boys crossed the street in front of a truck on Center Street near Lancaster Drive Northeast.

Deputies said the driver, 59-year-old Edward West, yelled at the teens to get out of the street. When they yelled back, deputies said West drove into a nearby parking lot and confronted them.

A verbal altercation ensued, deputies said, and West began pushing them and eventually slapped one of the teens as they attempted to leave the area.

Investigators said West then went back to his truck and grabbed a small black handgun, pointed it at the teens and threatened them.

A good Samaritan saw the situation unfolding and stopped to help the teens, according to the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies said the man was riding a motorcycle and used his helmet to knock the gun away from West, which allowed the teens to run away.

West was arrested on charges of unlawful use of a weapon, menacing and fourth-degree assault.

Darren Ruckard lives right across the street from the suspect and says he and his family have had plenty of run-ins with him in the past.

[lowbridge]

The identity of the motorcyclist is unknown. Apparently he left before he could be interviewed by the police.

[Red Badger]

Now that’s using you head!.............

[driftdiver]

Helmets save lives!

[Rio]

[CGASMIA68]

if he used a gun to stop the altercation K-Who ever TV would have never published squat

[beelzepug]

At the very least, the old bastard owes him a new helmet. They should always be replaced after a hard blow.

[BenLurkin]

A foolish move on his part. Lucky to be alive.

[logi_cal869]

My thought as well.

[bobby.223]

“But what would the club secretary have to say”?

[Tupelo]

Sounds to me like the motorcyclist is smart.
Do what is necessary and get the hell out of there.
Sticking around would only cause him problems. Probably with the local Just-us Dept.
Old saying, that is truer than most know:
No good deed goes unpunished

[anymouse]

Never bring a gun to a helmet fight. ;)

[JimRed]

Deputies said the driver, 59-year-old Edward West, yelled at the teens to get out of the street. When they yelled back, deputies said West drove into a nearby parking lot and confronted them.

Were they code-word teens, the kind who might NEED killing?