To get involved or not?

[internet troll]

I haven't seen this discussion in a while. In this story, a neighbor got involved when an ex husband was strangling the ex wife possibly saving her life.

People seem to have different thresholds. Some people seem like they would be eager to get involved if they saw something going down that they thought was bad. Others have indicated that they might call the cops if they saw something bad going down because it's not worth the potential fall out if they get involved in a bad situation.

How would you have gotten involved in the story below if you would have gotten involved at all?

What are your general thoughts in getting involved if you see trouble that a man with a gun might make a difference?



http://kdvr.com/2017/09/16/woman-say...aved-her-life/


Woman says neighbor who shot her ex-husband during assault saved her life

DENVER — A woman being assaulted by her ex-husband says a good Samaritan saved her life by stepping in to help Saturday. The ex-husband is now recovering from a gunshot wound to the leg.

It happened around 11:30 a.m. in the 7100 Block of East Mississippi Avenue.

The victim says what was supposed to be a child custody exchange between her and her ex-husband turned violent when he started verbally and physically attacking her.

Neighbors say they heard the argument on the front lawn.

“We just heard screaming and yelling,” said Jaskisse Scott, who was playing outside with friends.

The victim said the ex-husband had her on the ground nearly choking her to death.

That’s when a neighbor came outside to intervene.

The victim says she told the ex-husband to get off of her. When he didn’t, the neighbor pulled a gun and shot the ex-husband in the leg.

“They were like, I’ve been shot, I’ve been shot,” said Melissa Tombaugh, who was inside her apartment watching TV when she heard the yelling.

Police took both the good Samaritan and the ex-husband into custody.

The victim says she’s thankful the man stepped in, she believes saving her life. She also says police told her the man will most likely not be charged.

The ex-husband is being treated for non-life treatening injuries. He could face charges.

Police have not released his name. ​

[Rosco the Iroc]

I have gotten involved in something like that but thankfully it didn't go that far.

[internet troll]

I have gotten involved in something like that but thankfully it didn't go that far.

I've step in in situations in the past, but the thought process was different because I did not carry. I would still get involved, but I see why some may not.

[free]

Police took both the good Samaritan and the ex-husband into custody.

This is why the default is "don't get involved." To overcome that default requires careful consideration.

In the case you cited - if I were THINKING, I would not have done what the GS did. Just wait for the police to show up and let whatever happens, happens, because, hey, when you try to help, you FUCKING GET ARRESTED!!

Unfortunately, my gut instinct, which often overrides my thinking instinct, would have been to plant my motorcycle booted foot right in the guy's face if possible, in the chest otherwise. That could go bad for a whole host of reasons. Assuming it didn't, and were successful in ending his attack on her, I'd only pull the gun if he came after me - and if I shot him, it would not be in the leg.

The closest I have come to what you describe is as follows:

• Early morningish, 2am or something, I get banging on my apartment door (this is a place with an interior hallway with different apartments)
• Peephole examination reveals scantily glad girl, pleading for me to let her in, to escape abusive boyfriend
• Carefully, I let her in, lock the door behind her
• We call police (well, I do - she's crying and scared shitless)
• Boyfriend comes beating on my door, demanding his girlfriend
• I warn him police are on the way, and suggest he go home
• Had he come through my door, I would have shot him dead
• Police show up. She does not want to press charges (surprise!), but because he pulled phone out of the wall, preventing her from calling 9-1-1, he goes to jail

Wanna guess how many ways THAT could have gone wrong for ME?

[Gunsnwater]

I only got to recovering from a leg shot. What a lousy shot, was the ex a kick boxer?

[internet troll]

[/LIST]

Wanna guess how many ways THAT could have gone wrong for ME?

In most cases a lot can go wrong, that is why I don't blame people who would step back and not get involved. So many ways to severely screw up your life and potentially lose everything. But I am wired where I could not ignore the girl in your situation or the situation in the story.

[internet troll]

I only got to recovering from a leg shot. What a lousy shot, was the ex a kick boxer?

I don't know, but I heard he had to eat at ihop afterwards.

[bigandy1966]

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

[internet troll]

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Kitty Genovese

[free]

All it takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

That is why evil has the big advantage.