Man stops hit and run driver from fleeing with a finger gun

[Jeff White]

I’m not posting this to recommend we all stop carrying firearms but to start a discussion about presence.

https://www.stltoday.com/news/local...cle_99d296d7-3f54-5a1a-aa16-94707c39dc0a.html

The finger wasn't loaded, but it hit the target anyway.

When Mark Dino Russo witnessed an out-of-control car careen into two people last week — and then noticed the driver apparently trying to sneak away — he raised an empty hand, pointed his index finger at the driver and yelled, "Stop, (bad person), or I'll shoot."

In many cases the first step to taking control of a situation is establishing a command presence. This starts with the way you carry yourself and your appearance.

"I just had a feeling he was going to run away," said Russo, 61, of Affton. "And I just decided I wasn't going to let him."

Sure enough, Russo said, "when he got about 150 feet away, he started to break into a run."

So Russo first yelled "hey" at the suspect, who stopped and turned to look at Russo. That's when Russo, standing behind the open door of his truck, drew his deceptive digit and yelled his command.

Surprising even Russo, the stunt took the wind out of the would-be runner's sails. "He stopped and put his hands in the air and started walking back. Then I told him to get back by his car, and he did that too," he said.

Jeremy Stockert, 33, of St. Louis, was arrested at the scene, St. Louis police said.

Looking and acting confident and proficient can go a long way towards resolving a situation without violence. It will also go a long way into making you look like too hard a target and cause a potential assailant to move on to an easier target.

 

[Olon]

Makes me think of the movie Gran Torino haha

 

[SharpDog]

I guess it depends on the caliber of person you are

 

[Choctaw]

Looking and acting confident and proficient can go a long way towards resolving a situation without violence. It will also go a long way into making you look like too hard a target and cause a potential assailant to move on to an easier target.

Yes sir, command presence has gotten me out of fights and suspects into handcuffs more times than I can count. However, it is never a bluff. You have to be willing and able to back up everything you say and do.

 

[larryh1108]

In this day and age I'm surprised he didn't get hit with brandishing and arrested too.

 

[herrwalther]

First rule of a gun fight: Make them think you have a gun?

 

[shafter]

Seeing the headlines of a 13 year old girl being charged with a felony for pointing a finger gun at fellow students makes me think that it might not be a good idea to point even a finger gun at someone unless there was a valid reason. I know this is a different scenario, but still. Crazy world.