AWAT: 'Bank Robber Points Gun At Toddler'

[Janq]

Preface:
There was no good guy and the BG got away in this case.
But it is yet another example of to what extremes BGs will go to get from us what they want, anywhere any time (AWAT).
I wonder how this father feels now having his boy taken from his guard and not having been able to do a damn thing about it else wise. :(
This is one of one million reasons why I choose to carry a gun concealed on my person, and train to use it.

---

As reported via WKYW.com (PA):

Sep 19, 2007 8:30 am US/Eastern
Caught On Tape: Bank Robber Points Gun At Toddler

(AP) ALLENTOWN, Pa. An armed bank robber grabbed a toddler and walked him to the teller's window, where a startling image of the boy staring up at the suspect and his gun was captured on surveillance film.



The robber took hold of the boy as the 2 1/2-year-old was leaving a PNC Bank in South Whitehall Township with his father, police said.

"As they were turning to leave, this guy is coming in and takes the boy and walks him into the bank and makes the father drop his keys and cell phone," South Whitehall police investigator Mike Harbove said.

The suspect -- hidden behind a mask, gloves and hooded sweat shirt -- also brandished the gun at a teller, police said. He did not threaten to shoot the boy or the father, police said.

The suspect fled on foot with several thousand dollars after the robbery Saturday afternoon.

Police have no suspects, but hope the photo will prompt calls from people who may recognize him.

The story with video of the incident can be found at; http://cbs3.com/local/local_story_261174616.html

- Janq

Personal Note: I never go in the bank and pretty much have done all of my banking over the last 10 yrs. or so via driveup windows and as of this year online as well. But in a case like this for a CCW I'm pretty confident that a head shot, from behind, would be justified by any jury (maybe not a judge) in any court of the land.
Anyway again stuff can and does happen anywhere to any one at any time.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Scott]

Not an armed citizen success story. General news items like this where BGs use guns but no GG success we are putting in the O/T forum.

[Janq]

Got ya and thanks.

- Janq

[OPFOR]

But in a case like this for a CCW I'm pretty confident that a head shot, from behind, would be justified by any jury (maybe not a judge) in any court of the land.

No question which way I'd go if I were on that jury, and I can't see any reasonable person having a problem with it. An armed robber, pointing a gun at your young child's face, is about as clear-cut as it gets, IMO...

[Janq]

It's now hit national news via ABCNews.com:


Robber Grabs Toddler During Bank Heist
Bank Robber Grabs Toddler, Holds Him at Gunpoint While Pulling Off Heist in Pennsylvania


"In this surveillance photo provided by the South Whitehall Township Police Department, shown is an armed bank robber, left, holding onto a 2-1/2-year-old boy while he robs a PNC Bank in South Whitehall Township, Allentown, Pa., as an unidentified male with his hands on his head is seen at right on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007. The suspect, who grabbed the toddler as the boy was leaving the bank with his father, fled on foot with several thousand dollars after the robbery and left the boy and his father unharmed.(AP Photo/PNC Bank via the South Whitehall Township Police Department)"
http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=3621185

- Janq

[MD_Willington]

Scary... one reason I almost never go into a bank....

[P7fanatic]

No question which way I'd go if I were on that jury, and I can't see any reasonable person having a problem with it. An armed robber, pointing a gun at your young child's face, is about as clear-cut as it gets, IMO...

Although I feel exactly the same as you do concerning this situation, it is sad to say that not all people are reasonable.
I know there are people out there that believe under no circumstances does the BG deserve to be killed, even if the toddler ended up getting killed by him.
*Note-That is unless the toddler was theirs.

[MitchellCT]

I wonder if anyone had a weapon in the bank, but felt they couldn't draw and get a shot off before the robber put a bullet in the child's head?

Asking for someone to draw from concealment and nail brain stem shot before the criminal can get a shot off...tall order, at least for me.

I'd be very reluctant to try that unless I saw the guy was distracted and the gun was away from the kid.

[OPFOR]

I wonder if anyone had a weapon in the bank, but felt they couldn't draw and get a shot off before the robber put a bullet in the child's head?

Asking for someone to draw from concealment and nail brain stem shot before the criminal can get a shot off...tall order, at least for me.

I'd be very reluctant to try that unless I saw the guy was distracted and the gun was away from the kid.

Like Janq said - muzzle contact distance from behind. When the BG is at the teller window, everyone else in the bank is behind him, and he obviously hadn't proned everyone out (witness the guy standing next to the BG with his hands on his head). I would not, however, try to draw and shoot from where the BG could see me unless I thought there was absolutely no other option.

[randytulsa2]

I think we're all agreed here that things would have turned out differently had any of us been that child's father.

We're also all pretty much agreed that a shoot would have been justifiable (we're not all agreed as to whether it would have been practical, and that would depend mainly on where each of us was in relation to Mr. Scum).

It would be very, very difficult for me to stand by, while armed, as a walking pile of feces uses a CHILD as a shield/hostage....

[QKShooter]

If I was in that bank & I had a killing shot I would have taken it.

[retsupt99]

If I was in that bank & I had a killing shot I would have taken it.

...and if I were standing behind you, I loan you a couple of extra mags...just to be sure!

[Baby Hulk]

Using a child - let alone another innocent - is the ultimate lowest of lows. Obviously shows how he values human life.

Hey Mr. bankrobber: