Friend of a friend was shot with a taser and robbed

[nick2570]

A friend of a friend, was walking up knights rd from Philly into Bensalem, and was shot with a taser and then robbed. He noticed the guy following him, ran and tried to create some distance, but the robber chased him with a taser and fired.

This got me thinking of what I would do in this situation. Situational awareness being key; I would have changed sides of the street and then see if the other guy followed me. But this is where it get sketchy; once I cross the street and the guy follows, what do I do next? Would I be legally protected if I felt like I was in danger, and draw my sidearm while ordering him to stop? Am I justified in shooting if the guy draws on me with a taser? How would everyone here have handled the situation?

From what I was told, the friend of a friend knew something was wrong, but did not know he was going to be robbed until he was already shot with the taser

[Shadowline]

Let's just start with this...if you are going to draw your weapon, you better be damn sure you have a real reason to believe your life is in danger.

[MikeinPhilly]

Did this person not have a cell phone to call for help?

[nick2570]

Let's just start with this...if you are going to draw your weapon, you better be damn sure you have a real reason to believe your life is in danger.

Oh I know, that's why I'm asking this though. In this taser situation, would ones life ever actually be in danger, and when would one be justified in drawing? I think it's tricky cause I really don't see any way to prevent this situation besides avoidance, or turning, telling to stop and that you are armed

[nick2570]

Did this person not have a cell phone to call for help?

I think it was one of those situations that happens too quickly for a phone call

[BestDefense=StrongOffense]

The way I see it, if you're tazed and you smash your dome on the curb, you could die right there. Defend yourself accordingly. IANAL

[Shadowline]

Oh I know, that's why I'm asking this though. In this taser situation, would ones life ever actually be in danger, and when would one be justified in drawing? I think it's tricky cause I really don't see any way to prevent this situation besides avoidance, or turning, telling to stop and that you are armed

The question isn't really about the taser..at least not directly. While the taser may be non-lethal, the question is whether you have reasonable cause to fear for your life once incapacitated. Questions that should be asked (and answered) prior to even seeing the taser could include

• Is the person stalking me?
• Is the person physically superior to me in a fight?
• Has the person shown he is going to physically assault me?
• Do I have reason to believe he wants to kill me?

I would argue that once the taser is drawn you now have reason to draw the weapon, especially if you have reason to believe the aggressor knows you are armed. Once tazed almost anyone is at the mercy of the attacker, with little to no ability to fight back. This is best put to an attorney (which I am not), so take my opinion for what its worth.

[customloaded]

Well I'll tell you how it works for LE Officers.

If an officer is pepper sprayed or tasered, they can use deadly force.

If you are carrying a gun, incapacitated for the purpose of an Armed Robbery, they find your gun, do you want to bet the odds for or against the robber using it on you?

I wouldn't bet the odd's either way.

CL

[Steve in PA]

Was he shot with a TASER or hit with something like a stun gun?

Even the civilian TASER's have afid's, little dots that contain the serial number of the cartridge. You can't just go out and buy them from any store. If this is what was used, then the police can track down who bought them. This device costs around $300 and the cartridges cost about $70 or so.

If it was just a stun gun, then that is just a "pain device" and once you break the contact, the pain stops.

[Gunsnwater]

The key is to not walk around Philly alone. Lots of places in this world are just dangerous to be by yourself. That is situational awareness 101.