"Man Posed as Cop, Threatened People With Gun" - Keller, TX

[surprise_i'm_armed]

Someone should see how much Mr. Pricer wants for that .45 Colt.

He might need to turn that gun into some cash for lawyer money. :-)

SIA

[baseballguy2001]

If this whole thing was started by a "glance", Mr. Pricer needs to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. When I woke up this morning, a glance wasn't against the law. However, impersonating a LEO is illegal. If, Mr. Pricer is a retired LA LEO, he still needs to be prosecuted for the deadly conduct charge. If I've learned anything here, and in my continuing learning being a responsibly armed citizen, deescalating a tense situation is the preferred conduct in a potential conflict. I'm not saying these kids were angels, they may well have done something. In that case, call 911, get the license plate number, get good descriptions, get the direction the car was going, all the good witness details. I was taught the threshold to draw is high, but if you have to draw, be prepared to shoot. No brandishing, no scaring anybody, that sort of conduct is illegal for good reason.

[Shoot Straight]

I second the question why he wasn't charged with aggravated assault. That seems like the right charge based on the alleged behavior.

Sec. 22.01. ASSAULT. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(2) intentionally or knowingly threatens another with imminent bodily injury

Sec. 22.02. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT. (a) A person commits an offense if the person commits assault as defined in Sec. 22.01 and the person:
(2) uses or exhibits a deadly weapon during the commission of the assault.
(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second degree

The victims told police that the man put the gun to the car window, made threatening remarks

The very definition of aggravated assault. BOOK HIM DANO!

[PeteCamp]

Gentlemen. With all due respect. You have charged, tried and convicted an American citizen based on what facts? A NEWS report from a major newspaper, which could have a very good chance of being biased against anyone having a gun. At the very least, the news media is almost always guilty of NEVER getting the facts straight. I think we would all be better to await a trial by jury before organizing a lynch party. That is, unless we would wish a rush to judgement against us one day. Just my thoughts.

I think the OP asked about tactical considerations, not legal.

[fickman]

I think the OP asked about tactical considerations, not legal.

Yeah, that's what interested me more. . . it's a tough spot to be in when a badge (fake or not) comes into play. Following our normal strategy and asserting that we know what is "right" and "legal" seems to have more dire consequences if the badge is real - even if the officer is out of line.

I also don't want the impersonation of an officer to become the universal "gotcha" that BGs can use.

[KD5NRH]

Yeah, that's what interested me more. . . it's a tough spot to be in when a badge (fake or not) comes into play. Following our normal strategy and asserting that we know what is "right" and "legal" seems to have more dire consequences if the badge is real - even if the officer is out of line.

As far as I know, everybody who legitimately carries a badge has some sort of ID card to go with it. I've had a few jobs that required me to deal with non-uniformed LE on occasion, and I've never had one offer only the badge to identify himself.

[tacticool]

I think the OP asked about tactical considerations, not legal.

If the car is running, putting it in gear and making tracks can be very effective. Another solution is shooting the MWAG.

[srothstein]

As far as I know, everybody who legitimately carries a badge has some sort of ID card to go with it. I've had a few jobs that required me to deal with non-uniformed LE on occasion, and I've never had one offer only the badge to identify himself.

Not necessarily everyone, but there is a Texas law that requires every peace officer to have an ID card with a telephone number that is staffed on a 24 hour basis that can verify the status of the card holder. I won't vouch for the full implementation of the law yet but it is there.