I'm 6' and weigh 230 lbs. I assure you, I could have gotten this split-focus drunk guy to release a victim in a headlock in under 5 seconds: and he would not be dead.
Doubtful. Most all of the people I've ever met that were big and talked that level of confident smack usually wet their pants when the first big-buck 250lb drunk got rowdy in any one of the bars that I have bounced in. Most of those big, tough-talking guys had never been in a real fight with a real man, getting by on their size and the intimidation that comes with it. I highly doubt you've ever (or more than once or twice if at all) grappled with an intoxicated person intent on doing you, or someone else harm. I'm 6'2 and go between 220 and 240, and I know better, because I've been there and done that. Even police officers won't grapple with a drunk unless they have other officers as backup. There's a reason for that...
After that? "You deal with things as they come."
Yeah, like dealing with the aggressive law enforcement officer, trained to grapple to an extent, trained to disarm most likely as well...how do you deal with this 300lb officer when he snags your gun from your holster while you play Johnny-hardass and run in to get physical? When you have a firearm, that's the level of force justified if any level of deadly force is. When you grab a baseball bat or a pipe and get into close range of the adversary, you run a huge risk of losing your weapon if you miss the element of surprise. I've taken two full-swing sluggers to the head, one small pipe and a number of brick; I stood standing more times than I went lights-out, and I'm not all that tough.
But to immediately callously inject some hardball when there are other adults near -- at least one, right? -- or when there are a myriad of other options is shameless and stupid.
But your so-called options are fantasy and IMHO, stupid moves. If ANY level of deadly force is justifiable, a firearm is justified. If you have one on you, you cannot go grappling with other folks...I doubt most CCW'ers carry in a retention rig. Would you like to let me drink a 12-pack, then you can come try and grapple me with a water gun in your IWB or whatever holster? Let's see how long you keep that gun on you.
I'm tired of John Q.'s lack of judgment.
I'm tired of a little too much keyboard Rambo and not enough reality.
90% of the people on this board could have gotten the girl away from him, without shooting him, in a very minimal amount of time.
Doubtful. Even so, if they managed to get his attention off of her (I don't think you can say that 90% of the people here or anywhere else could physically deter a 300lb cop), then what have you done? So, the shooter goes and gouges the guys eye out...then the guy attacks the shooter. Guess what, you ever try to draw when someone was on top of you? Not happening most of the time. Congratulations, you went from selfless hero to stupid victim, and now the enraged, intoxicated cop has your gun...who's stopping him now?
It's not difficult, it's just more "personal."
Too much Hollywood.
The shooter did what he felt was right. He was disabled (neck injury), he stopped a felony in progress. Even without the injury, grappling while armed is a stupid move that the novice usually only gets to make once.
