Assaulted on Washington Ave - what to do differently?

[corbtex]

I apologize in advance for the long post.

It was about 10:30 PM on Friday and I was walking to my friend's place near Broad and Washington. I live off 11th, just North of Washington, so it's a pretty straight walk. As I turned the corner onto Washington, there was a group of about 20 black teens half a block ahead of me, mostly high school aged boys but some girls too, also walking toward Broad. I considered crossing to the other side of Washington, but the light was red and since these kids were almost at 12th street already I figured they would have already crossed 12th by the time I got there. As I got closer to 12th and Washington, only about 5 kids had crossed and the rest were still on the same side as me - I think they were deciding where to go or something.

As I started to pass through them, a tall kid, maybe 16 years old, turned and stared at me and then asked "You like parties?" Not really knowing how to answer, I thought for a moment about what would be the least confrontational thing to say. I answered "Who doesn't like parties?" and continued on.

He said to me "What? You want to f*ck my mom on the ground!?" At this point, I figured he was just being juvenile, but that I should keep moving and cross the street ASAP. He yelled to some friends further up that I had told him I want to "f*ck his mom on the ground" but because there was already some commotion amongst them, they couldn't hear what he was saying. So as I passed the ones up front, a few of them started walking toward the back of the crowd where he was.

I got to 12th street and crossed the red light. About 5 kids were standing on the other side, waiting for the rest of his group to cross. If you're not familiar with this area, there are a bunch of U-Haul vans parked on the street here almost making the sidewalk into an alley. So just as I passed these kids, what sounded like a good sized rock hit the back of the U-haul van next to me, near the corner. I turned around and the kid who asked me if I "like parties" was just running across the street and was suddenly in my face.

I'm in my mid 30s, 5'10" - this guy was maybe 16 years old and a lot taller, maybe 6'3" or so. I was sure he could have easily taken me down, or outrun me since I had a filled messenger bag around my shoulder and can't run that fast or far. He asked me again "What 'chu say about my momma?" I could not believe this kid was starting trouble with me for no reason. I asked him, almost in disbelief, "Are you kidding me???" So at this point, it was me, him, and about 5 of his friends on the Northwest corner of 12th and Washington. He and I were about 7 or 8 feet away from the other 5, and he was in my face - maybe 18 inches in front of me.

I realized that this might quickly turn violent, and if so, some of his friends might even join in. It seemed very surreal, and I tried to remain calm. But, sensing a potential attack, I put my hand in my pocket and got a firm grip on my Kel-Tec P3AT. He noticed and asked "What, you got something in your pocket?" I told him "Don't worry about what's in my pocket." He asked again, "You got something in your pocket? What 'chu gonna do?" I didn't say anything. He gestured forward and demanded "What 'chu gonna do!?" At this point I said, without flinching, "I'll put a bullet in you."

He turned to his friends and said something to the effect of "Ooh, he say he got a gun." Then he turned back to me and said "You ain't got nothing in your pocket." I didn't say anything and kept a firm grip on my firearm, which was still in my pocket. He backed away, and crossed back to the other side of 12th street, saying "You ain't got nothing," "He say he got a gun," etc, facing me the whole time. I also distanced myself while facing them, and eventually crossed the street and speed-walked to my friend's place, checking back frequently to be sure they weren't pursuing. Fortunately, the crowd never left that intersection.

End of story.

Please don't lecture me on how I should have avoided the situation by just crossing the street when I saw them. I figured that because Washington Ave is so heavily trafficked, I wouldn't have a problem, and I intended to cross before I got to them. But they stopped moving when I was halfway down the street which is why I caught up to them. In retrospect, waiting 30 seconds for the light to change so I could cross the street would have prevented all of this, and this is the action I will be taking in the future.

But this type of situation might occur again, and it might not be avoidable. So I'd like to know what the best way to handle it is - both in terms of protecting myself and acting within the law.

I don't want to take a gun out unless I absolutely need to. The last thing I need is to get arrested for flashing a gun to a group of teenagers. But if this guy started hitting me, and some of his friends joined in, I probably would have needed a gun, IMHO. But it was also a big red flag that a 7-shot pocket .380 might not cut it.

What should I have done when he was right in my face? There was little chance I could outrun him if he wanted to get at me, and that strip of sidewalk on Washington (between the building and the U-Haul trucks) is basically an alley. As it was, I got ready to draw my firearm, and told him "I'll put a bullet in you" - which I'm not sure was the best thing to say. But I am certain that if I hadn't, he would have hit me. I've been in enough situations to know when a punch is coming, and one was on the way. The only thing I'm not sure of is whether he'd continue, and whether his friends would have joined in.

But as I walked away, all I could think about was how they could flag a cop and tell them how I just threatened to shoot them or something. In which case I'd be screwed, regardless of what actually happened.

So to be better prepared, what might be a better way of handling this type of situation when fleeing isn't a 100% possibility (and could leave you physically exhausted if confronted)?

What did I do right?

What did I do wrong?

How would you have handled things differently?

Any insight is greatly appreciated,
Thanks!

[autotech6506]

I think you handled the situation well. At least you have learned from the situation and nobody got dead. I don't understand why kids these days act the way they do.

[fingers80002]

I think you did good.
If he had assualted you ,you would have been good to shoot,"IMHO"!
Mag. capacity is usually not a big concern. When lead flies, cowards run.
Have you ever looked at a gun from the wrong end?
They would have said he had a .50........

[bogey1]

sounds fishy. for being a FIRST post.....

[rwilson452]

one thing I would have done was call the police and report the incident. without mentioning the gun part just that some teens threaten you at the corner.

[chrisaka]

Scary situation, I'm glad you came out okay. It looks like the gun was enough of a deterrent to kill his advance. Definitely call the cops to report it - it could be a recurring issue and they may be able to red flag the area for focused patrol (wishful thinking?). I had previously been looking at places in South Philly - specifically in the area you mentioned, ust a bit more south (Italian Market). It's a shame everything is going to shit in that city.

[reels18]

Originally Posted by rwilson452

one thing I would have done was call the police and report the incident. without mentioning the gun part just that some teens threaten you at the corner.

It is the least you can do for them, after setting your adrenaline pumping. Chances are a cop would have stopped them and found some interesting things about those people.

Putting your hand in your pocket may have saved you from a beating or worse.

Most of those asswipes are only show offs until you display any sign of weakness.

[chrisaka]

This is also interesting insight into the statistics about people legally carrying guns for self defense actually using those guns to protect themselves - a significant number of these occurences are not reported to police.

[BimmerJon]

You handled yourself very well. Out numbered, noone should try and be a hero..

Part of me inside wishes whole heartedly that you wouldv'e put a bullet in him...

Yea,If you couldnt tell... I'm pretty much sick of the ghetto, slum trash in the city...

Edit: The world.

Is it right by the 7-11 and CVS? I'm down there a lot. Hey look A COP! lol

[corbtex]

Originally Posted by bogey1

sounds fishy. for being a FIRST post.....

There's nothing fishy about it. I'm a long-time lurker, but after this happened I figured it was time to sign up and participate. I signed up today and posted this, which I wrote the morning after it all happened.

My biggest question is, was I acting within the law when I told this kid "I'll put a bullet in you." In any other situation, it's almost definitely felony assault, making terroristic threats, etc. I keep trying to think of a better thing to have said, but luckily this kid got the idea that maybe I wasn't joking so it worked this time.

I don't want to become a criminal in the process of defending myself.