"The First 48" last night

[Trooperdan]

OK, I'm a fan of the real-life cop shows and The First 48 is usually one of my favorites. But the show last night is still on my mind, much more than usual.
I didn't retain where this occurred but it might have been somewhere in Texas. Three real thugs conducted a home invasion on a woman, supposedly thinking she had a stash of drugs and money but all they apparently succeeded in taking were a couple of TV's and a couple of game consoles. The neighbor across the way discovered what was happening and left his house and confronted the three bad guys. He was armed with a .45 ACP pistol but unfortunately he was badly outgunned. The bad guys had a 12 gauge loaded with buckshot, an AR-15 and a 9 mm pistol. He got off six rounds, apparently without effect but all three crooks scored hits on him and he was DRT.
The dead neighbor was just a good samaritan that didn't use good tactical sense. His death has me troubled beyond all reason somehow!

 

[Jellybean]

There's two things you don't take to a gunfight, a knife and a handgun.

 

[gaucho1]

Hit me the same way. I identify with the victim,as I am sure many who saw the show do also. Really points to assessing the situation from cover and not thinking any weapon will stop a decisive reaction from one or more opponents who are already amped up and by definition over the start line.

Sometimes well intentioned and courageous actions do not make up for care and stealth.

Definitely a worst case scenario. I feel bad for the victim and
the people who loved him.

 

[Duke426]

There's two things you don't take to a gunfight, a knife and a handgun.

Absolutely correct. I carry a handgun only to help me get to my shotgun.

I feel bad for the victim who was only trying to help. Unfortunately, I don't think even a 12 gauge would have helped as it sounds like he was outmanned as well as outgunned.

RIP

 

[Frailer]

There's two things you don't take to a gunfight, a knife and a handgun.

I couldn't agree more. I'd also add that it's best not to get in a gunfight unless you absolutely have to.

I didn't see the show, but if the woman wasn't in immediate danger the best course of action would be to let them take the stuff.

It would really suck to die over a couple of TVs.

 

[Old Sarge]

I'm one of those who faithfully watch this show, and my feeling was he was badly "outgunned". He was just trying to be a good neighbor, and if you remember, the comment was made that he was like a neighborhood sheriff.

 

[sigp220.45]

I didn't see the episode either, but I hope I can catch it on a rerun.

I doubt his choice of armament would have made much of a difference. Three against one is a tough nut to crack. Was he just standing in the yard banging away at them?

In my experience, most home invasions happen to people who don't pay their dope bills. I've worked several kidnappings and all but one have been attempts to collect on drug debts. Maybe this lady was an innocent victim, but I don't see many of those.

 

[Trooperdan]

I found out the locale was Harris County, Texas. And apparently, the good neighbor was right out in the open, beside his drive-way and he challenged them to "drop their guns". The guy with the 12 gauge fired over the hood of the pickup they were using and hit him right off. The guy with the AR fired many times and also scored hits as well as the guy with the 9 mm!

 

[PRC74]

What Sig220p.45 said.