Approached by suspicious acting strangers last night

[CHLSteve]

While visiting my in-laws in Tyler, TX we were approached by some very suspicious-acting guys around 9:30PM. My family stopped to get some gas at some run-down station, and my Father-In-Law was filling the tank. I was in the passenger seat, and my wife, son, and her mom were in back. A old silver car with very dark tinted windows pulled up in front of our truck, and sat there for 2-3 minutes--we could not see the driver or any passengers due to the window tint. They just sat there. Then, they pulled around the other side of our pump and rolled down only the back window. The guys we could see were black, and my FIL is a rich-looking older white guy. We could see 3 guys in the back seat, so I figure there were 4 or 5 people in the car. He asked my FIL something about "where the old wal-mart was". It didn't make any sense, and they seemed to be sizing him up to see if he/we would be an easy target. I was feeling very uneasy and kept my eyes on them the whole time, then my wife asked me if I had my gun--I guess she felt it too. After they got done talking, they rolled up their window, and sat there again for 3-4 minutes. We could not see into the car at all. They finally pulled around, and parked in front of the gas station storefront. FIL got back into the car and we left with only half a tank. I watched to make sure they did not follow us out.

I did NOT have my gun with me, and I was kicking myself the whole time. I was trying to figure out what I might have done if I did. Get out of the truck and stand by the front of the car waiting? I kept thinking about the Garland, TX story where those guys shot two men after leading into conversation about needing a cigarette or a lighter.

[dave_in_austin]

As you have seen here, ALWAYS carry unless prohibited by law. I think in this case, I would have told the FIL to quit filling the gas and that it is time to go as soon as I felt nervous. It is much better to leave without the gas you wanted than to put yourself and your family at additional risk. There could have easily been six people in the car who intended to shoot first and then take your car and money and there is little you could have done about it.

[Excaliber]

As you have seen here, ALWAYS carry unless prohibited by law. I think in this case, I would have told the FIL to quit filling the gas and that it is time to go as soon as I felt nervous. It is much better to leave without the gas you wanted than to put yourself and your family at additional risk. There could have easily been six people in the car who intended to shoot first and then take your car and money and there is little you could have done about it.

This was a VERY CLOSE CALL. There is no doubt that this was the initial stage of a robbery setup, and the OP was extremely fortunate that the BG's hesitated and came up with a "no go" decision, for whatever reason.

Whenever it's possible to avoid an incident by getting out of Dodge before the action starts, it's the smartest, surest, and safest way to go. In the situation described, this would have been the best option available by far, whether armed or not.

Fights always have winners and losers, and there's no sure way to tell which way it's going to end up before it starts. As Sun Tzu observed in The Art of War, the only fights you always come out of well from are the ones you don't engage in.

Of course, when either there's no avoidance route available, the other guy has already begun the fight, or engaging the BG is the only way to protect something that must be defended (e.g. your life or the life of a family member), it's time to apply Jeff Cooper's Principles of Personal Defense and use whatever you have available at the time to prevail.

[phddan]

Live and learn.
You are still living, hopefully you learned.


Carry 24/7 or guess right.
Which wise ol' man said that?

Dan

[KC5AV]

I'm not sure if it was anything to worry about. The 'old Wal-Mart' in Tyler being used as a staging area, or distribution point for supplies to the evacuation shelters.

[austin]

You were interviwed. You got lucky.

Carry all the time.

Keep another pistol of the same make and model in your glove box with extra magazines.

Carry a folding knife with you at all times.

Work out on a regular basis including weights and some light running.

[PUCKER]

My gut tells me that you were being "interviewed" as well - if you're not carrying, or if your piece is in the car - while you are filling up - here's a technique - stop the filling up, grab the nozzle and point it at the possible aggressors, not in too much of a menacing manner - but just enough to let them know that gas could be coming their way - getting a lighter out of your pocket wouldn't hurt either. Your mileage might vary, but that technique is *always* in the back of my head..."use what's around as a tool."

[CHLSteve]

I'm not sure if it was anything to worry about. The 'old Wal-Mart' in Tyler being used as a staging area, or distribution point for supplies to the evacuation shelters.

This makes sense to me. This was after the hurricane came through, and many folks were without power in the Tyler area (ourselves included) If they were using the "old wal-mart" as a staging area, it makes sense why someone would want to find it.

I am relived to know this, but the situation makes me realize that the "event" could come upon you at any time, and to always be prepared. We were very aware of our surroundings, as usual, but I did not have anything to defend myself with. Of course, the wife did encourage me to go get a new gun after that--one that I'll carry with me more often. I find it hard to conceal when I'm wearing tucked in dress shirts, so I often go without. I'm thinking a pocket .380 might be the answer. Maybe an LCP?

[The Annoyed Man]

My gut tells me that you were being "interviewed" as well - if you're not carrying, or if your piece is in the car - while you are filling up - here's a technique - stop the filling up, grab the nozzle and point it at the possible aggressors, not in too much of a menacing manner - but just enough to let them know that gas could be coming their way - getting a lighter out of your pocket wouldn't hurt either. Your mileage might vary, but that technique is *always* in the back of my head..."use what's around as a tool."

Now I would have never thought of that... The problem is that you risk setting yourself on fire too if you're not very careful. OTH, you'll probably scare the other guy worse. I can see his cartoon thought bubble right now.... "Man, THAT boy is crazy! Let's get out of here."

[tallmike]

Goodness. Its always smart to be ready but not everyone who asks for directions is "interviewing" you. It doesnt matter if they are black or white people sometimes get lost.

[PUCKER]

Annoyed - sometimes "Crazy" is the way to be!

tallmike - whenever I pull into a gas station I do a quick scan...if I catch someone loafing I run the odds in my head of them coming over to beg, sob story, etc...so far I'm about 80% right. Granted, it seems to depend on the area of town I'm in. At my local gas station (2 blocks away) I usually run into friends/neighbors from my house, the lake, etc.

[CHLSteve]

Goodness. Its always smart to be ready but not everyone who asks for directions is "interviewing" you. It doesnt matter if they are black or white people sometimes get lost.

True, and in context it makes more sense, but when someone drives up to you and asks something that seems nonsensical you have to wonder why. For example, why would someone need to know where an old walmart was?

As far as the black or white people comment goes, you picked that out on your own. I did not provide anything other than the facts and details about the situation as I recall. They could have just as easily been Asian, fat, or redheads and I would have put that instead.

[Rokyudai]

Working downtown so close to a tourist spot, there is quite a mix of individuals walking about. You have those that work there, those that 'sleep' there, and the tourists. Now, I have noticed some of the displaced showing up in the area. Now, don't misunderstand, I am not equating them with those that would choose to do harm. It has been (what I can only imagine) an incredibly frustrating, long period of uncertainty which is why many are choosing to leave the shelters seeking help elsewhere, at clinics in the area or even making the best of it and 'taking in' some sites. As a result, you have folks who may for no other reason than running out the door with the clothes on their back 'appear' to be the 'sleeper' type but are simply the displaced wearing only what they have. Now, this is the point I am getting at when it comes to being 'interviewed'.

Like I said, I work in a tourist area. There is lots to see and do if you have not been there before. Likewise, folks not familiar with the area may choose to ask you for directions to places which for those that work near everyday, seem typical 'tourist' questions. You learn to deal with that and not jump the gun and believe you are being 'interviewed for a crime'. You start to only hear buzz words as you size them up. When you lay eyes on them for the first time the appearance of such folks can give away the intent. Camera, fanny pack, area flyers, and kids in tow can scream tourist. If a tattered fellow(s) come up asking a similar question, I may get a different feeling but that has to be tempered with the fact they may just be the displaced tourist looking to get their minds off of why they are in the situation they have been.

So, you have folks that may very well be lost and it seems odd for the appearance/behavior/time of day that they are looking for a particular place... and of all places, at a gas station? Well, not uncommon for that to happen but it's not inappropriate for you to be aware that's how many crimes begin. At any rate, the current disaster has placed another variable in our decision tree. Perhaps those folks in the tinted car got a call from some evacuee friends at that shelter and were simply going to meet up with them. Just sayin'

[Excaliber]

Working downtown so close to a tourist spot, there is quite a mix of individuals walking about. You have those that work there, those that 'sleep' there, and the tourists. Now, I have noticed some of the displaced showing up in the area. Now, don't misunderstand, I am not equating them with those that would choose to do harm. It has been (what I can only imagine) an incredibly frustrating, long period of uncertainty which is why many are choosing to leave the shelters seeking help elsewhere, at clinics in the area or even making the best of it and 'taking in' some sites. As a result, you have folks who may for no other reason than running out the door with the clothes on their back 'appear' to be the 'sleeper' type but are simply the displaced wearing only what they have. Now, this is the point I am getting at when it comes to being 'interviewed'.

Like I said, I work in a tourist area. There is lots to see and do if you have not been there before. Likewise, folks not familiar with the area may choose to ask you for directions to places which for those that work near everyday, seem typical 'tourist' questions. You learn to deal with that and not jump the gun and believe you are being 'interviewed for a crime'. You start to only hear buzz words as you size them up. When you lay eyes on them for the first time the appearance of such folks can give away the intent. Camera, fanny pack, area flyers, and kids in tow can scream tourist. If a tattered fellow(s) come up asking a similar question, I may get a different feeling but that has to be tempered with the fact they may just be the displaced tourist looking to get their minds off of why they are in the situation they have been.

So, you have folks that may very well be lost and it seems odd for the appearance/behavior/time of day that they are looking for a particular place... and of all places, at a gas station? Well, not uncommon for that to happen but it's not inappropriate for you to be aware that's how many crimes begin. At any rate, the current disaster has placed another variable in our decision tree. Perhaps those folks in the tinted car got a call from some evacuee friends at that shelter and were simply going to meet up with them. Just sayin'

The social circumstances of the area should be taken into account. However, if you spend all day making excuses for why what you're seeing really isn't a problem, sooner or later you'll make a tasty meal for the street predators. To protect yourself effectively you need to make quick, accurate assessments and act on them right away.

Here are a couple of shortcuts:

If the situation gives you the creeps and you get a bad feeling, you're probably subconsciously picking up danger signs in addition to what you could articulate at the moment. These are usually valid warnings, and it would be foolish to ignore them.

Judge primarily by behavior, not appearance. If someone's behavior is consistent with precrime victim selection evaluation and positioning for attack, you should act on the premise that that's exactly what's happening until proven otherwise.

[Rokyudai]

Good points Excal. Thanks.

Rok