What Would You Do, Part Two

[No Worries]

On Tuesday, I witnessed a man assault a female letter carrier at three in the afternoon. I couldn't believe my eyes. I drove beside her and asked "Did he just assault you?" "Yes" she said. I saw the perp walk into a 7-11 type store. I parked my Jeep outside the door and walked in.

I told the clerk to call 911 because this guy had assaulted a woman. I blocked the exit so he could not leave. He tried to push me aside. "Don't touch me" I said. When I wouldn't budge, he put up his dukes. We had a ten second fistfight and then he tackled me.

We flew out the door, but I did not want to land on my back. So I twisted and landed on my right elbow. Ouch. We both stood up and I threw him on the ground. When I bent down to pick him up, he kicked me in the face. Double ouch.

Blood was pouring off me. I picked him up again and threw him against my front tire. I then pulled his jacket over his head so he couldn't see. This also locked his arms so he could not hit me. I now could have done anything to him.

My Jeep has a steel I-beam as a bumper. His wrapped head was just two inches from the end. If I thrust his head twice against it, his brains would have been pouring out of his ears. But I didn't do it. Actually, I didn't know what to do.

I work every week with heavy weights, so I was stronger than the perp. But I hadn't been in a fight since I was in the Army, forty years ago. I didn't know how to end the fight.

At this time, the store clerk came out and said "Don't hurt him, he's an old man." He was talking about me. Of course, I was the one who had blood streaming down their face. Oh, did you know that redheads don't go gray? We go right to white, which makes us look pretty old. So the clerk helps me up and the perp runs away. An ambulance shows up and then the police. The medic takes my blood pressure which is over 200. I give a description to the police and they apprehend the perp.

Long story, short, I got a cat-scan (normal) and an X-ray (broken thumb). The perp was 37 (I'm 62) and schizophrenic. The mail carrier was fine (she delivers my mail). and the detective said that the perp will probably plea-bargain. I can't ride because of my thumb, and I'm waiting for the hospital bills to come in (I have no insurance).

[Rangerscott]

Glad you're ok. Im in the same boat with no insurance, but like you I wouldnt have let that deter me from helping someon out.

I would have called the police and just followed the guy. Im a small dude so Im sure I would lose a ton so I have to depend on my brain. Sadly hell probably be back on the street in no time. Hopefully the lady will follow through with charges and not let it go. Hell just do it again.

[Particle Man]

Ouch. With any luck, the fact that he assaulted a federal employee will at least get the guy confined to get some mental help....

Ever consider taking some martial arts classes? It's amazing what kind of clarity proper training throws on situations like that... If I were you, I'd press charges and try to get some of the medical bills covered by this guy...

[CasterTroy]

Originally Posted by No Worries

did you know that redheads don't go gray? We go right to white

Damn homie! You just reversed 10 years of soulless jokes right there! Hellova soul

[EpyonXero]

You probably should have just followed him until the police arrived instead of confronting him unless the assault was still in progress.

[pauldun170]

Sorry to hear about your thumb and apparent lack of kung fu skills but kudos on not being a bystander.
I'm not sure what I would have done and I have a habit trying to do "something". I think getting 911 on the line and then tailing the guy would have been a better option, but we do have pretty coverage around here.

Hopefully you never see the guy again.
That would make for awkward conversation if both of you end up next to each other at a urinal somewhere.

[Kaneman]

Damn good work man, we need more like you....well, more like you that know how to fight anyway!

[LeeNetworX]

If you are asking what I would do, if it was my mail carrier, I would have done nothing as she is 100% batshit insane and likely did something to this guy that caused the attack. She actually was fired at one point because she had so many complaints against her but the Postal Union got her job back.

In your case, I have respect for what you did and hope you heal up nicely. Good Karma on you.

[Turbo Ghost]

Good job! Not sure what I would have done unless I was actually there as that makes all the difference in the world. One of the reasons I avoid fights is my instinct is to eliminate the threat as quickly as possibly and as permanently as possible so, the bumper would probably have been used in my case.
Also, you are correct. We go straight to white. Although, I've gone a bit blonde on my way to white.

[Papa_Complex]

Good on ya. Having been bitten in the past I can't say that I would do the same today but, as Turbo Ghost said, you never know unless you're there.

I hope that both the physical and financial damage and up being minor.