TN: 67 year old woman CHL approached by strange man in Walmart parking lot

[VMI77]

One of the big things missing from the so called "reporting" --did the guy have a criminal record? Did the police check? If the guy has a criminal record the disposition of this case by the police goes from questionable to outrageous.

[TomV]

After reading the article the witness claiming McLain (the victim) stated "I'm going to shoot you. I'm going to kill you." is concerning.

I agree, if the man had just bought smokes, why does he wander up to a strange woman, alone in a parking lot, to ask for a light? It makes no sense.

Lots of missing information.

[TVegas]

The lady overreacted. The 21 foot rule is applicable, but the 21 foot rule does not justify the threat of deadly force. There still has to be something more. The guy might have been up to no good, but there is zero evidence (at this time) to support that.

Witnesses also said that she muzzled several other people who were in the parking lot.

I'm sympathetic that the lady is now charged with a serious crime, but she also failed to represent other gun owners responsibly. She deserves the black eye of being charged and embarrassed, but I do hope that the charges are dropped.

[rp_photo]

One of the big things missing from the so called "reporting" --did the guy have a criminal record? Did the police check? If the guy has a criminal record the disposition of this case by the police goes from questionable to outrageous.

The most likely lack of criminal record and CHL status for the victim should also be taken into account. 67 year-old females are a minimal crime risk as are CHL holders, and the fact that the victim was both says a lot.

[Oldgringo]

What does the woman's age have to do with anything?

[MONGOOSE]

She may have a longer history of no law violation. Speaking from experience, the older a relative has become ,the more they have been targeted as a victim .

[TVegas]

What does the woman's age have to do with anything?

Also, it's irrelevant whether or not the guy had a criminal record. That would only matter if he actually did something wrong here.

[EEllis]

What is equally strange is that if he had just bought cigarettes, why didn't he also buy a lighter, or at least a 2-cent book of matches?

Something stinks and it's not coming from the lady's direction.

They don't have 2 cent books of matches anymore. Stores don't even have books of matches for the most part. As a former smoker I can say forgetting about a lighter is not suspicious in the least since you get focused on the cigarettes. His story, while could be fake, is consistent and totally reasonable. Her story is I got scared because and leaves out anything that would rise to the level of causing a normal person to pull a gun. Maybe the "Got a light" story is crap but I still haven't heard anything that would justify the pulling of a gun.

[EEllis]

I agree, if the man had just bought smokes, why does he wander up to a strange woman, alone in a parking lot, to ask for a light? It makes no sense.

Because that is what people do. They will walk asking everybody for a light figuring eventually someone will have one. It happens a lot less now days but it's not surprising.

[MONGOOSE]

I don't smoke. However , I can't recall a person in front of me that has bought smokes, not being offered a book of paper matches.

[EEllis]

I don't smoke. However , I can't recall a person in front of me that has bought smokes, not being offered a book of paper matches.

Not since the 80's.

[MONGOOSE]

I don't smoke. However , I can't recall a person in front of me that has bought smokes, not being offered a book of paper matches.

Not since the 80's.

Every time they sell smokes at my country store....today.

[suthdj]

Sitting in my driveway watching my bbq a guy walks buy an asks for a light, my answer was nope. He kept walking, didnt even ask to use grill.

[philip964]

http://www.dnj.com/story/news/local/201 ... /75451992/

More information. 4:00 pm

Suspect said she told him to stop, and when he didn't she pulled the gun. He was yelling and acting aggressively. Victim was 52 years old.

Apparently a female witness with a child (who you might assume could be sympathetic to our suspect), had the gun pointed in her direction, so seems like she is not being helpful to the suspect.

The point of the victim calling 911 and not the suspect is very interesting. I would agree that if you draw your weapon, you should call 911 immediately and report the incident.

[Pariah3j]

What is equally strange is that if he had just bought cigarettes, why didn't he also buy a lighter, or at least a 2-cent book of matches?

Something stinks and it's not coming from the lady's direction.

They don't have 2 cent books of matches anymore. Stores don't even have books of matches for the most part. As a former smoker I can say forgetting about a lighter is not suspicious in the least since you get focused on the cigarettes. His story, while could be fake, is consistent and totally reasonable. Her story is I got scared because and leaves out anything that would rise to the level of causing a normal person to pull a gun. Maybe the "Got a light" story is crap but I still haven't heard anything that would justify the pulling of a gun.

I am a current smoker, while yes matches/match books aren't sold anymore - there are more then enough cheap lighters at checkout. So even if this guy forgot his lighter at home, if you can afford the smokes, you should be able to afford the lighter. There isn't alot of good reason for him to approach a stranger in a parking lot at night and get close enough for her to pull the gun.

That being said, a specific distance wasn't given, but didn't get within 10 feet makes me think he did get about 10 feet. You can ask for a light without having to approach someone. I've had similar situations like this at night in parking lots, didn't have my CHL yet, so my hand was on my knife, it got pulled out along with my lighter - my alert level was orange, quickly approaching red - so a older woman who is alone, I'd expect it to be a cause for alarm.