Man with syringe, saying he has AIDS, robs drugstore

[HiredGoon]

Here's a hypothetical based on the below true story. Say this guy came at you and demanded your wallet, saying he'll inject you if you don't hand it over.

He is claiming he has a potentially deadly weapon (AIDS virus in the blood-filled syringe). Would you fear for your life...draw and shoot? HG

Man with syringe, saying he has AIDS, robs drugstore
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

A man who said he had AIDS threatened a Shadyside pharmacist with what appeared to be a blood-filled syringe and got away with Oxycodone yesterday.

The pharmacist at the Rite Aid on Walnut Street said the man went behind the pharmacy counter around 4:30 p.m.,held up the syringe, and said, "I have AIDS and I will stick you with this -- give me your Oxy 80's."

He then pointed the syringe at her and made her open a safe, from which he took Oxycodone before fleeing.

The suspect is white and in his 30s. He was about 6 feet tall and 200 pounds. He was wearing a black nylon jacket with white stripes along the sleeves, blue jeans and a black cap with a white bill.

Anyone with information is asked to call the city police robbery squad at 412-323-7151.

[Spishack357]

I'd shoot his kneecaps out from under him for sure...He would have to be pretty threatening and close to me before I shot for the center of mass though...

[zackattack784]

I'd shoot his kneecaps out from under him for sure...He would have to be pretty threatening and close to me before I shot for the center of mass though...

If you're not willing to stop the threat as soon as possible by shooting for COM then clearly you were not in fear of your life and the prosecuting attorney will make a BIG deal about that at trial.

If you don't feel it is necessary to aim for COM then it is NOT a good shoot!

And good luck shooting at the knee caps of a man that is walking/running towards you...

[incynr8]

this hypothetical doesn't indicate I can't flee, so since it's not a ballistic syringe weapon, I'd run like hell, possibly tossing my 'fake' wallet to distract and slow them down if coordination allows.

I hate needles! Giving blood was a huge step for me and made me feel great to finally do.

[anonymouse]

Kinda like this thread?

http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope...-hiv-aids.html

[1861]

Well due to health reasons my fleeing is null . If he was real close I would try to oblige , If he was coming at me and I could , I would definitely stop him .

[ReconLdr]

This is tough, do you take the shot and risk spreading more HIV/AIDS all over the place? What if he were telling the truth, you shoot him and his blood infects someone else in the store"? Would/could you be held responsible for that person becoming infected?

I personally would more than likely take the shot. That is IMHO a credible threat to my life. The prosecutor would have a field day with this no doubt.

[zackattack784]

Kinda like this thread?

http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope...-hiv-aids.html

That thread is assuming the man is unarmed. In this thread the man is "armed" with a syringe.

[soberbyker]

This is tough, do you take the shot and risk spreading more HIV/AIDS all over the place? What if he were telling the truth, you shoot him and his blood infects someone else in the store"? Would/could you be held responsible for that person becoming infected?

I personally would more than likely take the shot. That is IMHO a credible threat to my life. The prosecutor would have a field day with this no doubt.

I would bet that someone would try and let the courts figure it out. I mean stranger things have made it to the courts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald's_Restaurants

.

[ReconLdr]

I would bet that someone would try and let the courts figure it out. I mean stranger things have made it to the courts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald's_Restaurants

.

I guess you are right, someone would try to hold me responsible for that...