Gun Carrying Man Ends Stabbing Spree
BY Herschel Smith
12 years, 4 months ago
In Salt Lake City:
A citizen with a gun stopped a knife wielding man as he began stabbing people Thursday evening at the downtown Salt Lake City Smith’s store.
Police say the suspect purchased a knife inside the store and then turned it into a weapon. Smith’s employee Dorothy Espinoza says, “He pulled it out and stood outside the Smiths in the foyer. And just started stabbing people and yelling you killed my people. You killed my people.”
Espinoza says, the knife wielding man seriously injured two people. “There is blood all over. One got stabbed in the stomach and got stabbed in the head and held his hands and got stabbed all over the arms.”
Then, before the suspect could find another victim – a citizen with a gun stopped the madness. “A guy pulled gun on him and told him to drop his weapon or he would shoot him. So, he dropped his weapon and the people from Smith’s grabbed him.”
By the time officers arrived the suspect had been subdued by employees and shoppers. Police had high praise for gun carrying man who ended the hysteria. Lt. Brian Purvis said, “This was a volatile situation that could have gotten worse. We can only assume from what we saw it could have gotten worse. He was definitely in the right place at the right time.”
Dozens of other shoppers, who too could have become victims, are also thankful for the gun carrying man. And many, like Danylle Julian, are still in shock from the experience. “Scary actually. Really scary. Five minutes before I walk out to my car. It could have been me.”
As has been pointed out befrore, gun free zones are premised on a fantasy, i.e., that criminals will obey the law. No one who is sane actually wants to endure this kind of confrontation, and in a knife fight, even as a weapon carrier (sometimes concealed, sometimes open), my own rules are based on three E’s: Evasion, Egress and Escape. Get out of the way of the attack, egress from the area, and escape the danger. But this may not work, and when it doesn’t, a gun is your best bet. And in this case the concealed carrier potentially saved lives other than his own.
In spite of the new appeals for gun control, law abiding people must not be disarmed. Nothing good comes from it.
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On July 26, 2012 at 9:45 am, Herschel Smith said:
I should follow this up with a comment that shows the reality of a knife attack (language warning). In a knife attack there are almost no good options.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37XiSn81oFw&feature=player_embedded
On July 27, 2012 at 12:16 pm, Robert said:
Just wondering why he would go to the trouble of purchasing the knife first? Must have them locked up in a showcase or something.
On July 27, 2012 at 12:17 pm, Ratzo said:
Relevant, but it’s ancient news from 4/27. Don’t know why Drudge is linking it now.
On July 27, 2012 at 12:22 pm, Rich K said:
When every second counts the police are only “minutes” away.
Funny how thats always true in every single one of these situations.
On July 27, 2012 at 12:24 pm, model_1066 said:
Too bad Mr. Stabby wasn’t taken out of the gene pool right then and there.
On July 27, 2012 at 12:28 pm, Herschel Smith said:
Ratzo,
I picked it up from reddit/r/guns. It’s hard to find all of the relevant local reports.
The thing you get here (as opposed to reddit) is the story and a little bit of commentary. The thing you avoid is the drole, liberal comments, spammers, trolls and ne’er do wells. I wade through all of their crap for you.
This is my service to you.
On July 27, 2012 at 1:04 pm, SoftwareCowboy said:
It’s also a good argument for supporting a national concealed carry law. The man who was carrying concealed in this case was from Idaho, not Utah. Fortunately, there is reciprocity for permits between these two.
On July 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm, edward said:
Imagine how much “hate” email and tweets the hero of this story will get from the “tolerant” and “progressive” lefties.
Liberalism is a disease based in cowardice.
The American Left: cowering before terrorists; killing the innocent unborn.
On July 27, 2012 at 1:42 pm, Dave said:
I believe in a different kind of gun control. Everyone currently allowed to have a weapon should be required to take the necessary safety courses, have a gun permit and a weapon. They should also be required to carry their weapon one day per month. Then at least the odds will be higher of someone being able to prevent a tragedy such as in this story.
On July 27, 2012 at 2:05 pm, William said:
He brought a knife to a gun fight? Dummy!
On July 27, 2012 at 2:32 pm, SLC said:
Who was that armed man? And I didn’t even get a chance to thank him!
Unlikely in SLC, but wouldn’t t be funny is he was a gang-banger?
On July 27, 2012 at 2:55 pm, Seerak said:
We need to start pushung for “a serious debate about guns” whenever a story like this breaks — and follow it up with a demand for *repeal* of particular gun laws.
I’m tired of this BS where we sit around and wait for the next maniac to put on the defensive all over again. Turn it around, and start blasting them every time the reverse happens.
On July 27, 2012 at 3:03 pm, spinoneone said:
Those who turn their swords into plowshares will soon be plowing for those who don’t.