Itstjs
New member
I came real close to pulling the trigger the other day at work, Im going to try and keep some details a bit vague so I dont post any private information or details that would give the property away. I work as an Armed Security Officer in Michigan, Im a "Community Policing Supervisor" meaning I manage all of our housing sites. I was assigned to cover a property due to an employee calling off. This occurred during normal business hours, it was approximately 11:50am when the Property Manager asked me to deliver some lease violation letters which is a normal activity for 1st shift to do. I started at the middle section of the property being it was closer to the office area and I wanted to keep my eye on a few females who happened to appear like they were having some minor dispute over one party not calling the other party back. I didnt take it as something that needed to be addressed at that moment due to one half of the party being in the parking area while the other was on a balcony.
I got to my first apartment (which happened to be about 20 feet from the people arguing) and handed them the letter, the "minor altercation" seemed to calm down at this point, as I began to walk to the persons who appeared to be arguing the person I handed the lease violation to began asking me some questions about the notice, as I turned my attention back toward the person who asked about the lease violation I heard a loud POP/Bang noise. Obviously shooting firearms for a long time now, I know what a gunshot sounds like, I quickly turned toward the direction I heard it coming from and observed a female with a silver pistol pointed at several individuals on the balcony. I heard two more shots, I drew my firearm and took a defensive posture behind the motor block of a vehicle and demanded the female drop her weapon (yes, my weapon was pointed at the females in the parking area). She fired 3 more times as she entered the passenger side of a vehicle.
The only thing that kept me from firing was ignorant residents began coming out side to "see what was happening" and one happened to be right behind what would have been my intended target, they went back inside after I assume they seen the shots were being fired right outside their apartment. What seemed like milliseconds later the vehicle left at a high rate of speed. Me not being an LEO, I did not attempt to follow the vehicle, instead, I stayed put for a few moments, I wasnt sure if there were more persons shooting from the balcony area or not considering the angle I was now at. I called police who stated they were already notified, I advised them I was an armed S/O and currently had my weapon drawn, gave them make and model of the vehicle in question. The dispatcher advised me to wait for police and requested I holster my firearm, (stupidly I refused on the phone) I told her I wasnt sure if there was a threat still or not and gave my position in the complex.
Seconds later two police officers arrived, and I holstered my firearm, they obviously seen me. The officers asked me to come to them, as I could tell they were at a better angle to make the call than I was.
Longer story short, there was only 1 shooter, the other half was apparently the lesbian lover of the shooter who wanted nothing more to do with her, which caused her to obviously get upset. No one was hurt and the female was later found and charged with some 8 felonies. I was told I would have been justified if I were have used deadly force, however I was also told it was a good choice to hold fire considering my back stop was an occupied apartment. Scary thing was the female shooter only hit the building 4 times, 2 rounds hit an apartment that had nothing to do with the altercation, one round hit the window, the other hit the door, the remaining 2 we found hit a post and a balcony ceiling. Amazingly enough, again, no one was hurt.
Question is, would you have held your fire? I feel I made the right decision in not firing, adrenaline was going pretty good, had a good sight picture, and an active shooter, but just didnt feel right at the moment, and the weapon was from what I could tell, never pointed at me, although, MI law states "in the defense of your life, or someone elses."
I dont know...Your thoughts?
I got to my first apartment (which happened to be about 20 feet from the people arguing) and handed them the letter, the "minor altercation" seemed to calm down at this point, as I began to walk to the persons who appeared to be arguing the person I handed the lease violation to began asking me some questions about the notice, as I turned my attention back toward the person who asked about the lease violation I heard a loud POP/Bang noise. Obviously shooting firearms for a long time now, I know what a gunshot sounds like, I quickly turned toward the direction I heard it coming from and observed a female with a silver pistol pointed at several individuals on the balcony. I heard two more shots, I drew my firearm and took a defensive posture behind the motor block of a vehicle and demanded the female drop her weapon (yes, my weapon was pointed at the females in the parking area). She fired 3 more times as she entered the passenger side of a vehicle.
The only thing that kept me from firing was ignorant residents began coming out side to "see what was happening" and one happened to be right behind what would have been my intended target, they went back inside after I assume they seen the shots were being fired right outside their apartment. What seemed like milliseconds later the vehicle left at a high rate of speed. Me not being an LEO, I did not attempt to follow the vehicle, instead, I stayed put for a few moments, I wasnt sure if there were more persons shooting from the balcony area or not considering the angle I was now at. I called police who stated they were already notified, I advised them I was an armed S/O and currently had my weapon drawn, gave them make and model of the vehicle in question. The dispatcher advised me to wait for police and requested I holster my firearm, (stupidly I refused on the phone) I told her I wasnt sure if there was a threat still or not and gave my position in the complex.
Seconds later two police officers arrived, and I holstered my firearm, they obviously seen me. The officers asked me to come to them, as I could tell they were at a better angle to make the call than I was.
Longer story short, there was only 1 shooter, the other half was apparently the lesbian lover of the shooter who wanted nothing more to do with her, which caused her to obviously get upset. No one was hurt and the female was later found and charged with some 8 felonies. I was told I would have been justified if I were have used deadly force, however I was also told it was a good choice to hold fire considering my back stop was an occupied apartment. Scary thing was the female shooter only hit the building 4 times, 2 rounds hit an apartment that had nothing to do with the altercation, one round hit the window, the other hit the door, the remaining 2 we found hit a post and a balcony ceiling. Amazingly enough, again, no one was hurt.
Question is, would you have held your fire? I feel I made the right decision in not firing, adrenaline was going pretty good, had a good sight picture, and an active shooter, but just didnt feel right at the moment, and the weapon was from what I could tell, never pointed at me, although, MI law states "in the defense of your life, or someone elses."
I dont know...Your thoughts?
