Suddenly a fistfight broke out and rolled onto the hood of my truck!

[paramedic70002]

Yesterday afternoon I had my boys, 11 and 5, with me. We stopped at a rural gas station near my home and bought a gallon of milk. Suddenly two women, out of a group of five women and one man, start fighting as I'm at the passenger door of my truck, trying to get the kids in and buckled. The fight went right over the hood of my truck with fists flying. Not knowing if weapons were involved and fearful for my children's safety, I hitched my coat over my holster, exposing my sidearm, readied my pepper spray, then ordered them to separate while the proprietor called 911. There were a few tense moments. The assailant and her posse then retreated to their car to wait for the police but after several minutes decided to leave and of course were long gone by the time the Deputy showed up.

Pertinent points:

1. I had no interest in getting involved but the fight was all inside my comfort zone and impinging on my family.

2. I really felt like I had no good options. I was in the middle of a sudden combat environment with multiple parties. My kids were half in the truck and I was outside the vehicle, exposed and pre-occupied with a task, although peripherally aware of the argument/brewing altercation. Once I heard "We'll settle this later," and "Bring it on," I knew what was about to happen.

3. Once the fight waned and the parties in their vehicle, I considered leaving, but felt a certain civic responsibility to stay and provide a witness statement. No weapons were presented, the parties were separated, and calm had returned. Some of the actors had tried to stop the fight and were apologetic. The victim was an employee of the store and was inside.

4. Since I had decided to wait for the Deputy, I waited outside so I could watch the vehicle. I kept the boys with me for a time so that I could see to their safety but then decided to send them inside where it was theoretically safer but they were out of my sight.

5. I really struggled over what was the best/right thing to do given the circumstances.

6. Once the Deputy showed up I wrote out a statement. No mention was made of my OCed sidearm.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Mattmann]

Sounds like you did good man. I would have done the same thing, especially if my wife or son was with me.

[retsupt99]

Sounds like someone let the 'animals' out of their cages...glad your family stayed safe.

[kelcarry]

I guess, in some way, my life and times (now 70) have been blessed by living and working in environments far removed from stories like this thread and many, many, many other threads that seem to populate these forums. Maybe the idea that we are always talking about "defense", which is the basis of the forum, is the reason that most discussions will always focus on real-world aggresive situations, but I am continually shaking my head at what many of you seem to find yourselves involved in or looking at in your daily goings and comings. Personally I hope that we all can write and talk these threads and replies and not have to walk some very bad walks. Peace my fellow forum members--peace. Unfortunately, I truly believe that these type of situations will be replaced by more ominous situations brought about with this country's potential lurch to a socialist dictatorship and confrontations between the haves and have nots, as magnified by islamic ideals and law.

[Dennis1209]

You did well. As we all know, our loved ones are our #1 priority. Not knowing all the details and characters, and being only a fist fight, I myself would have got my children out of harms way any way / where I could as you did. I have no responsibility for the actions of others, only myself and loved ones. I'd do my best to remove myself & family from the scene while keeping a guarded eye on my family and try to be a good witness and call the "to serve and protect" people. Since we were not being directly threatened I would feel there was no need to introduce a weapon. Situations like this usually take us by surprise and the adrenaline and juices start to flow. That's when common sense and cool heads prevail. IMO

[oneshot]

I think you did fine.

It could have been a set-up for a car jacking.
The women start a fight to distract you, while somebody else gets in your vehicle to drive it away.

How were you to know?

[Hot Wing]

Well done

[archer51]

You did what needed to be done. You didn't go looking for trouble, it found you. Once it drops in your lap you do what has to be done to protect your loved ones.

[gunthorp]

Good job. If only there had been some mud around for them to play in.

[R.W.Dale]

While nothing would have likely happened in terms of prosecution had I done as you did I would have been technically in violation of Arkansas code for brandishing.

You did good and probably did as I would have. However

posted via tapatalk using android.

[farronwolf]

Not trying to knitpic, and of course I wasn't there, but could you have put your truck in reverse and removed yourself, your kids and the vehicle from the fray of events before interacting with the unruley bunch?

Again, just a after the fact question for my curiosity.

Other than that, seems like you did what you had to do.

Must be a full moon coming or something with all the crazy stuff I am hearing or seeing lately.

Edit: On second read, you most probably weren't even in your truck yet as it went down, just the kids, would be why you wouldn't have backed up. Yes/NO

[Okemo]

Well handled....you never know what might come out of a catfight. But we can dream.....

cat fight - YouTube

[paramedic70002]

I think you did fine.

It could have been a set-up for a car jacking.
The women start a fight to distract you, while somebody else gets in your vehicle to drive it away.

How were you to know?

1990 F150 that looks like it was rejected by Sanford & Son.

[paramedic70002]

Not trying to knitpic, and of course I wasn't there, but could you have put your truck in reverse and removed yourself, your kids and the vehicle from the fray of events before interacting with the unruley bunch?

Again, just a after the fact question for my curiosity.

Other than that, seems like you did what you had to do.

Must be a full moon coming or something with all the crazy stuff I am hearing or seeing lately.

Edit: On second read, you most probably weren't even in your truck yet as it went down, just the kids, would be why you wouldn't have backed up. Yes/NO

Right. And even afterward, it's a small lot on an otherwise empty highway.

[chiefjason]

Nothing to offer, but curious. From when you realized it was starting to when they separated, about how long did it take? I would imagine it happened much faster than most would imagine. Not much time to do anything but prepare for the worst and hope for the best.