Armed robbery, armed carjacking

[treadlightly]

Hard to defend against criminals like this - http://www.kwtx.com/content/news/Stando ... 29375.html

It's a bad bet to draw on a drawn gun. Someone approaching with his gun ready is definitely controlling the encounter. First challenge is to turn those tables, and that might not be possible.

[remanifest]

In general, it's hard to defend against "surprise" criminals at all, because they always have the upper hand, by definition. The are some good ways for people to increase their odds of success in any criminal encounter:

1) Have a secure home, including surveillance, solid strike-plates, and high-quality steel doors, if at all possible
2) Be well-versed in conflict resolution
3) Be well-versed in martial arts, including hand-to-hand combat and grappling techniques, if physically possible
4) Eliminate distractions - this includes not constantly using a cell phone
5) Be armed at all times
6) Train with your primary weapon, frequently, in high-stress environments

If a person does some of those things, they'll increase their odds. Doing all of those things will swing the odds a bit more favorably, so much so that the element of surprise can be quickly reversed. Unless they're a seasoned criminal, they're not generally expecting a fight from "victims", and much less a fight from someone who is very likely more capable.

[vjallen75]

If a person does some of those things, they'll increase their odds. Doing all of those things will swing the odds a bit more favorably, so much so that the element of surprise can be quickly reversed. Unless they're a seasoned criminal, they're not generally expecting a fight from "victims", and much less a fight from someone who is very likely more capable.

[treadlightly]

In general, it's hard to defend against "surprise" criminals at all, because they always have the upper hand, by definition.

All good points, and if it can happen in places like Groesbeck and Wortham, it can happen anywhere.

'Course, Wortham has at least one high speed chase in its history, if a full gallop constitutes high speed.

Desperado Frank Polk, after killing a constable, led a Deputy on a horse chase and gunfight through the streets of Wortham in 1878.

Long time, now retired, Freestone Sheriff Sessions related a story told to him by one of his predecessors about the day Polk's career came to a bloody end:

Frank Polk lived in the Pisgah Ridge Community in Navarro Co.. He had been in
trouble with the law on several occasions. On this occasion he was in
Wortham trouble developed between he and Jack Powell who was the Precinct
Constable. In the course of events, Frank Polk shot and killed Jack
Powell on what is now Main St.. Word was sent to Marcus Seely who was a Deputy
Sheriff under Sheriff Henry Powell at his home. He immediately came to town and Frank
Polk mounted his horse and rode east on Main St. then turned north on 1st Street, Mr.
Seely was chasing him and when he arrived at the corner of Main St. and 1st. Street, he
shot at Frank Polk with his Winchester. This shot hit Frank Polk’s horse and it fell, Frank
Polk used the horse as a barrier and fired at Mr. Seely with his Winchester. In the
exchange of shots, one of Mr. Seely’s shots hit Frank Polk’s gun and it wouldn’t fire.
Frank Polk got up to run and Mr. Seely shot him. After he fell, Mr. Seely went up to him
and shot him again to make sure that he was dead. Mr. Seely said that he knew if he
survived, he and his family would always be in danger.

Wortham's been relatively peaceful since. More or less, anyway.

[Jago668]

Wortham's been relatively peaceful since. More or less, anyway.

I know it was when I grew up there. Don't see it much anymore.

[Jusme]

Wortham's been relatively peaceful since. More or less, anyway.

I know it was when I grew up there. Don't see it much anymore.

I can see why evidently word got around that even after you have been shot, the LEO there would make sure you were dead. Probably kept the crime rate way down.