Newspaper story -
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/27880751/detail.html
Man Shot After Manners Scolding
Posted: 6:40 am EDT May 13, 2011
Updated: 1:07 pm EDT May 13, 2011
ATLANTA -- A Douglasville man said he was shot after trying to give another man a lesson on manners. Police are still looking for the shooter.
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It's sometimes said that you can pack a gun or you can pack an attitude, but you shouldn't pack both at the same time. And in my own humble opinion, you definitely shouldn't be packing both when you are OCing. I don't want this to turn into an OC versus CC battle, mind you, but IMHO OC was probably a factor in what ultimately happened.
Waiting outside the convenience store for the man in the leather jacket to come back out after initiating a verbal reprimand could be interpreted as predatory behavior. That's not excusing a lethal-force response without genuine cause, but it's necessary to examine these things as objectively as possible. And in court, this is not gonna look good to a judge or jury.
Following the man in the leather jacket down the sidewalk while apparently continuing a verbal exchange could be interpreted as provocation. Again, this does not excuse a lethal-force response without genuine cause, but we need to consider all aspects of the behavior involved here. Again, this is not going to look good in court.
At least one lesson to be learned from this - there are people out there who will shoot you without discussing it first. And given what transpired before the shooting, it might be a good thing that the shootee did not draw and return fire. I don't know Georgia's laws on self defense, but in my state it would be awfully easy for a DA to decide what transpired had the shootee returned fire was mutual combat and not self defense.
I'm sorry the shootee was painfully injured, placed in danger of losing his life, placed in danger of being paralyzed, will miss months of work, etc. but IMHO he could have almost certainly avoided it all by offering a smile and a nod and going on about his business. Moonlighting as Miss Manners with a gun was a bad choice in this situation.
jmho, ymmv,
lpl