Active Shooter on the Freeway: Tips for Self Defense While Driving
For a complete breakdown of this incident and to hear my analysis first hand, check out my YouTube video on the 2A Cops channel.
Naked Active Shooter: Understanding the Incident
Before we delve into our discussion, it's crucial to understand the incident's specifics. The event, as reported by ABC News, revolved around a naked woman who was shooting at passing vehicles and pedestrians near the Oakland toll plaza.
Surprisingly, it's unknown if any of her shots hit any vehicles. Presently, she is undergoing a mental evaluation at a local hospital after being taken into custody.
Analyzing the Incident from a Cop’s Perspective
Drawing from my experiences and professional knowledge, there are several factors to consider when assessing this situation. If I were to arrive at the scene while the woman was actively shooting, using my vehicle to stop her would be the most rational choice, considering the potential for collateral damage in a gunfight.
But there are other unique perspectives to keep in mind about the area and broader societal and legal trends. For instance, the local district attorney, Pamela Price, has been criticized for not appropriately charging criminals.
On the other hand, an Alameda County district attorney has openly stated an intention to prosecute cops in self-defense incidents. This raises the question, how will you be treated if you use force to defend yourself in a county or state with similar policies? This question becomes more pressing when considering locations like Illinois, New York, and other liberal areas where prosecutors are particularly aggressive in such cases.
Coping Strategies: What Can You Do?
***This is not legal advice. As always, please consult an attorney to determine what is best for you. Please have an attorney on retainer and carry CCW insurance.***
So how can you navigate such a situation? Here are a few options:
Pull over and hide: There's a good deal of protection within your car. So, you can pull over, duck, and hope that you won't get hit. However, hoping not to get shot is not a particularly comforting strategy. Also, stopping could trap those behind you in the line of fire.
Engage in a gunfight: If you're legally carrying, you can engage in a gunfight. However, you must consider the backdrop and potential for hitting other people. Moreover, even if you're legally carrying, the repercussions could be problematic, particularly in counties that have been slow to grant concealed carry permits even after recent Supreme Court decisions.
Intentionally run over the shooter: While this option may stop the shooter effectively, it would be treated as a deadly force incident by the police, akin to shooting the perpetrator. This could result in arrest and questioning, not to mention potential damage to your vehicle that insurance might not cover.
Accidentally run over the shooter: This scenario would require you to duck and drive through the danger zone, potentially hitting the shooter in the process. If treated as an accident, insurance might cover any damage to your vehicle, and you could argue that the shooter, as a pedestrian on the roadway, was at fault.
Each of these options carries its own risks and potential consequences, so it's crucial to understand your local laws and consult with a lawyer if necessary.
Why We Discuss These Scenarios
It's important to understand why we delve into these kinds of scenarios. Many active-duty officers can't publicly discuss these issues, and these videos aim to provide some insight into the decisions one might have to make in such situations.