I don't have a stable link to the video so I'm going to take for granted you've seen it. In the video you see multiple persons fighting, eventually taking up boards and striking the victim. The scene is characterized by general chaotic motion with dozens of people. There were approximately 10 seconds between the first appearance of a board used as a weapon until the victim was struck to the ground.
I'm not looking for a "right answer" here, and I saw some ideas were covered here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=457550&highlight=crowd+defense), but what about this specific situation, what would your reaction be? What could a bystander do? Would you draw a firearm if it were available? What if it were not available? What else could be done and what non-firearm tools might be of use?
Personally I wouldn't have felt comfortable firing at the assailants in the video because of the crowd. Warning shot? I generally don't consider them but maybe that would stop the situation, or at least clear the other bystanders. Then again you might become a target, either of the assailants or another bystander who confuses the warning shot for an assault. What about pepper spray? Or would you stay out of the way, call 911 perhaps?
I'm interested in first reactions to the video, what would you think to do?
I'm not looking for a "right answer" here, and I saw some ideas were covered here (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=457550&highlight=crowd+defense), but what about this specific situation, what would your reaction be? What could a bystander do? Would you draw a firearm if it were available? What if it were not available? What else could be done and what non-firearm tools might be of use?
Personally I wouldn't have felt comfortable firing at the assailants in the video because of the crowd. Warning shot? I generally don't consider them but maybe that would stop the situation, or at least clear the other bystanders. Then again you might become a target, either of the assailants or another bystander who confuses the warning shot for an assault. What about pepper spray? Or would you stay out of the way, call 911 perhaps?
I'm interested in first reactions to the video, what would you think to do?