OH: Robbery aborted by 75-year-old man

[seamusTX]

Grove City, Ohio (Columbus area), Monday, a 75-year-old retired LEO was walking his dog when a "yute" approached him and demanded money. The gentleman surrendered his wallet, then shot the "alleged" robber.

The robber was seriously wounded but expected to survive.

A friend of the robber was arrested for trying to hide the robbery weapon.

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Four shots, one hit in the leg.

- Jim

[surprise_i'm_armed]

The retired LEO had both Ohio and Florida CHL's.

No word on what his carry piece was.

It may have been just a leg shot, but when you have to stay in surgery
all day, it looks like your robbery days may be over.

The cops recommend complying with the robber's wishes.

The robbery victim did that. Until he had a chance to draw!

SIA

[seamusTX]

It may have been just a leg shot, but when you have to stay in surgery
all day, it looks like your robbery days may be over.

Opening up the femoral artery (which the story suggests may have happened) is a very serious injury. If the femur or knee was damaged, those are nasty injuries too.

Only time will tell whether the lesson was learned. I've heard of ex-cons who were in wheelchairs and still committing crimes.

- Jim

[StewNTexas]

Only one hit out of four at close range.

Somebody needs to spend a little quality time at the range.

[Keith B]

Only one hit out of four at close range.

Somebody needs to spend a little quality time at the range.

While range time and practice definitely help, don't be so quick to judge hit counts in a self defense situation. When you are taken by surprise, trying to move away from a threat, and shoot that threat, all the while having a MAJOR LOAD of adrenaline pumping in your body, it is almost impossible. Your vision goes tunnel, your reactions change and being able to hit the broad side of a barn, literally, is hard. Controlled range time is WAY different than when you are fighting for your life.

[seamusTX]

I don't know, but I've been told that shooting at live people who don't want to be shot and are shooting back is a little more difficult than hitting paper.

Active-duty cops rarely have better than a 50% hit rate.

Anyway, the defender wasn't hurt, the robber took a hit, and no innocent third parties were affected, except maybe for the dog's hearing.

- Jim

[Kythas]

An old Army buddy of mine is with Shreveport PD. He was involved in a shooting while on duty one night.

He was 3-4 feet away from the BG, fired 3 shots, and hit the guy once in the leg.

I, of course, razzed him about his hit ratio and asked where he was aiming. He said he was aiming at center mass.

I was dumbfounded. "How can you hit him once in the leg when you're aiming center mass at 3-4 feet?"

His reply I remember to this day: "Man, you never know where that bullet's going to hit when you have the pucker factor going on."

[joe817]

Keep in mind that the good guy is 75 years old. The eyes aren't near what they used to be at 75, and earlier ages. If the shooting took place at night or twilight, it's VERY difficult to focus on objects and get a clear picture at his age.

Who knows, maybe he was aiming for a leg?

In any event, +1 for the old guy.

[chamberc]

Too bad we don't have reciprocity with Ohio... I have to go every other year to this hell hole for Christmas.

[seamusTX]

Too bad we don't have reciprocity with Ohio... I have to go every other year ... for Christmas.

Ohio honors Florida. That's a cheap, easy non-resident permit.

- Jim

[StewNTexas]

OK, sorry about the 'range time' comment.

Things, ammo, firearms, society, etc. has changed since I instructed at the FBI academy and the Secret Service range back in the 60's. Also since I helped test for some of the USMC sniper requirements that were being initiated at Quantico.

[seamusTX]

Hey, I don't want to offend anyone. I'm just saying that a 75-year-old civilian caught by surprise isn't going to meet the same standard as a trained young or middle-aged man going into an anticipated firefight, and probably wearing protective gear.

Do the FBI and Secret Service have a mandatory retirement age?

BTW, the robber had a sneaky M.O., asking the victim about his dog before robbing him. Gain fellowship to let their guard down.

- Jim

[Keith B]

Hey, I don't want to offend anyone. I'm just saying that a 75-year-old civilian caught by surprise isn't going to meet the same standard as a trained young or middle-aged man going into an anticipated firefight, and probably wearing protective gear.