23Nov05

Update on Tacoma, WA:

The rusty CZ, with the slide locked halfway due to a double-feed, that was found at the scene and assumed to have belonged to the suspect, as it turns out, actually belonged to the victim! The victim, the only one seriously injured in the incident, apparently attempted to shoot the suspect. His pi stol only fired once, and the shot missed. The rusty, poorly-maintained CZ then

double-fed, and had no further involvement. The victim was subsequently sh ot four times in the torso by the suspect.

The suspect himself brought a Tech-Nine clone (9mm) and a Kalashnikov clone , but, despite firing many shots, was unable to produce any further serious injuries.

Several additional lessons: The mall where the incident took place has a "no firearms" policy, which supposedly applies even to people with valid CCW permits. Of course, like all stupid, unenforceable rules, this one is universally ignored, and should be!

The victim was indeed courageous as he tried to end the shooting spree. However, carrying rusty, poorly-maintained pistols has its risks! I know nothing about his training, but he was obviously unable to hit the suspect, didn't have a back-up pistol, and either did not try to, or was unable to, get his

pistol running after it experienced a stoppage.

When you have the heart of a lion, you had better have a lion's teet h and a lion's acumen also!

/John