On New Year’s Eve of 2013 Michael Simpson, who was legally
carrying as concealed weapon, had finished some midday shopping in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin. He was on his way to his car when he was confronted by a gunman who
demanded that he “give him everything or have his head blown off.” The robber
held a gun to Simpson’s neck.
Simpson complied and the robber took off at a jogging pace.
Game over. At least, it should have been but Simpson decided to follow the robber.
When the robber spotted him, he pointed his gun at Simpson and fired. Simpson
took out his gun and returned fire.
A total of ten shots were fired in a busy Milwaukee intersection
that resulted in the robber being wounded, apprehended and charged. Simpson was
not charged and declined to talk to the media. Following is my common sense
opinion of this confrontation. I am not a legal expert.
When Simpson was confronted, that was the time to make a choice
to fight or be a victim. Understandably, with a gun to his neck, he chose to be
a victim. It should have ended there with exception of calling the police. As
soon as the assailant left the scene he was no longer a threat to Simpson. He
became a threat, again, only because Simpson pursued him.
Of the ten shots fired, seven of them were from Simpson’s
weapon. Had any stray shots from either firearm injured or killed a bystander
both men would have been culpable. If the prosecutor did not find a case
against Simpson as well as the robber, then I expect that a civil lawyer for the
victim(s) would have.
There are
three parts to a crime from the victim perspective. They are confrontation,
decision and action. Then the game is over.
You are confronted by a criminal. You chose to fight, flee
or be a victim. You act on that choice. When the threat is gone or neutralized
the game is over. For the victim to initiate another confrontation, after this fact, may well label him the criminal when the game is over for the second time.
Once the criminal shows his back as he flees the scene there
is no threat to the victim’s life and no reason to pursue or confront the
criminal. Anything that the victim does that may or does result in injury or
death of an innocent bystander may, and likely should, make the victim a
criminal also.
Simpson did do one wise thing. He declined to talk to the
media. Anything in such of a discussion could be used as evidence if he was
charged later.
Question on legal technicality...
ReplyDeletePeople are entitled to attempt a citizens arrest, right? Did Simpson pull his gun before or after he was shot at? How about before or after his mugger pointed his gun at Simpson for the second time? The cops would never have caught this guy otherwise, but I do understand your point about the surrounding citizens. That was irresponsible. There are so many issues surrounding this one thing. I actually don't blame the guy in a way, but I still agree about putting others in danger. This isn't an issue we're faced with here, because we're not allowed to carry concealed (with very few exceptions), so it's not something I've had to ponder for myself. I've only pondered the ramifications of having a gun in my home. Strangely we can still have hunting rifles in gun racks in truck, though, if I'm not mistaken. Seems kind of stupid to me. Go over a bump, blow off someone's head - assuming you rack them while they're loaded.
Simpson didn't pull his gun until he was shot at. Yes, I empathize with his but his actions were without regard for for bystanders. Had he made his gun battle in close proximity to his adversary then stray shots would have been less likely.
ReplyDeleteGoobers like this guy become poster boys for the anti-gun people when a bystander is hurt.
Thanks for the read and comment, Rain!