Had a scary incident at work today, and got a moment to consider just how serious I am about personal safety and the safety of those around me. It all happened in a matter of minutes and I will say that I was very aware of myself the whole time. Here is my memory of what happened and what I was thinking:
I was at the shop and it was a hectic day that had just slowed a bit. I was on the front counter helping a a young female customer with a middle aged guy waiting in the wings for some assistance. One other employee was at the shop as well and he working at the service bench while talking on the phone with a customer.
As I was finishing up with the young lady, an individual walking in the store that set off my alarms. He was young and wore a sweatshirt with a hood drawn as far over his head as the fabric would allow. He was looking down and away from my security camera, and most importantly he kept both hands in his sweatshirt pockets from the moment he walked in and did not even take them out when he sat down in a chair that had large armrests. The whole time he kept from looking at the camera, but he did seem to be looking around, mostly at people's legs.
I was immediately concerned and followed the advice of "don't ignore your instincts".
I told him that I would be with him soon and he just nodded in my direction. So I continued with the lady while keeping my eye on him. My alarms kept getting louder as his behaviors did not change and his hands never came out. I just kept thinking that I needed to get the customers out of the store quickly without raising an alarm. I especially needed to get the lady out as I perceived her as a potential target and one that was on the other side of the counter from me.
I helped the lady as quickly as possible and shooed her out without finishing her warranty paperwork. Since the phone was ringing, I took the call and put the person on hold, again while keeping the guy in sight. To understand the layout of the situation, you need to know that I work in a rectangle shaped room with a counter near the front, narrow end, and 70% of the rectangle behind me which comprises the actual service area. While it is all open, the counter can only be gone around on the right hand side as you stand behind it. The guy was sitting less than 10' away, but nicely on the left side. The remaining customer was on the right side at the end of the counter which gave him room to get behind the counter if needed.
Again, I was very clear in my mind that I needed to get the remaining customer out of the store and I prayed no new customers would arrive. Luckily our business was short, and the last customer left, but he did it slowly, keeping himself in the greatest area of danger. So I stalled.
Before the suspicious guy could stand, I told him I had to take a call that was on hold and would be right with him. Without waiting for a response or taking my eyes off of him, I moved to a phone further away and took the call that was on hold. No one was there. So I had a fake conversation while the last customer left the store. It took perhaps 10-20 seconds, but that was the time I needed to have the store empty.
My co-worker was still on the phone, oblivious to the events unfolding. So I hung up the phone and decided to address the hooded guy while I was lucky enough to have a near empty store. I moved quickly to the left side of the counter so that I was positioned between the guy and my oblivious co-worker. As I moved, I casually pulled the back of my t-shirt up and over my right back pocket where my loaded P32 was in a pocket holster.
I should stop and mention here that my heart was THUMPING and the adrenaline was pumping as my body was getting ready for potential combat. I felt that my system was getting near out of control, but that my mind was far clearer and focussed that I expected it would be. I could hear the words of Ayoob and others: watch his hands, trust your instincts, check the backstop, think about your next step, create space, and so on. I was also weighing my own mind, asking that final time, "If he attacks to maim or kill, will you be willing to kill him?". The answer seemed clear as day.
He got up and came over to the counter with his best gangsta gait and took both hands out of his pockets showing me an MP3 player. He wanted to sell it. He still was intentionally looking away from the camera, but since I could see both hands I was a bit calmer. I wanted him gone, and was not really interested. I suggested a nearby pawn shop and backed away from the counter in disinterest. He murmured something, turned away from the camera and left the store.
No sooner had walked 15' into the parking lot, than two police cruisers pulled up and confronted him. Two more quickly showed up and I saw them taking the MP3 player out and asking him questions. I went to the door and waved an officer over that I had met the week before when some guys sold me some stolen goods and had been arrested. I told him that this guy had tried to sell me the MP3 player and that I could give him footage.
The officer laughed and asked if I had noticed that this was the very same guy they had arrested the week before. I HAD NOT. Perhaps it was the hood that obscured my sight, perhaps the threatening behaviors took all my attention, who knows. As we talked, the officers in the lot were putting the handcuffs on and loading the guy in the back seat. I burned a copy of my security footage and off they went.
Before he left, I mentioned how the guy had freaked me and how I had not recognized him. The officer was not in a talkative mood. I did not mention my carry license or the fact that I was preparing protect myself. The last thing I need is to look like a vigilante.
I did, however, have a conversation with my co-worker about how we need to come up with a code for "Get the F**k out the back door!". I told him that I wanted him to leave so that there would be no obstructions in my own egress out the back door (or through it at high speeds). I did not mention that I wanted him out also so that I would not have to worry about protecting him or keeping him out of any potential line of fire.
So what did I learn today? Let's list the lessons in no particular order:
1. Trust Your Instincts: They may be better than your eye sight.
2. Keep in Control of the Situation If Time Allows: Both because it creates a better situation and it let you feel in control, even as adrenaline courses through your veins.
3. A P32 in the back pocket goes a long way to helping you feel calmer in the face of a potential robbery. (Although an upgrade to a P3AT might be nice).
4. Stay Calm & Keep Planning: I just kept thinking, "What next, what next?" as I used each moment to slightly improve the situation while I still had time to improve it.
5. Live Semi-Rural: It is nice to be in a town where a stolen MP3 player warrants 4 police cruisers + handcuffs.
That is about it. If I had any question about full time carry at work, it is answered, especially as my alone time at the store may increase.
Good night!
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