Wife robbed at gunpoint today- HEB in Friendswood

[ghostrider]

sorry to hear about your wife, mrvmax.
glad she wasn't hurt.

[Skooter]

Glad that your wife wasn't hurt. I had been shopping at HEB Wednesday afternoon around 6:30PM and didn't see or hear anything about it. Again, I'm very happy your wife wasn't injured or hurt during the incident.

Skooter

[KD5NRH]

Sounds like the BG's got a good scare down at La Marque if they are the same guys.

It could be they are the same guys. They have a license number and a car with a bullet hole so they should be able to catch the BGs now.

I hope the shooter doesn't get charged for the bullet hole.

I hope the BGs get charged with theft of the bullet, in addition to everything else.

[gwashorn]

I am really disturbed by this and I am so glad your wife is alright. That is the first and most important thing. Many of you know my wife Jeri Ann at the post office in Friendswood. She shops a lot at that HEB on the way home etc. So for me this is bad. Not to mention we live south of there and that Walmart is now hit twice in past two months and I shop there. I take the time and talk to my wife while we walk in and out of shops etc what we see, what is right and wrong in the parking lot. I make it a practice and I know my wife gets tired of me asking her to do it as well. Really makes me happy our outing at the gun range last week cost me another $600 because this one she likes to carry. She tried it, liked it, wanted it and made sure she got it. Now to the range and more awareness training.

Best of luck to you and your wife. Do make sure you both are well cared for emotionally from this as well. Thanks for sharing.

Gary

[seamusTX]

According to the Daily News, the lady at Wal-Mart has a CHL.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/173378" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They didn't even bother with the usual cliché about "police do not expect charges to be filed."

“(She) struggled with her attacker, who was apparently attempting to take her vehicle, before retrieving a pistol from her vehicle’s console,” La Marque police Detective ... said in a statement.

I should amend what I said yesterday. I consider shooting at a fleeing robber who didn't get anything to be possibly not justifiable, but I wasn't there, and I can understand how it could be justified in some circumstances.

- Jim

[terryg]

Yeah, this is really disturbing for me also. My wife used to shop at that HEB all of the time on her way home. Then her office moved from League City to LaMarque. Now she hits that Wal-mart frequently.

To the OP, I am thankful your lady escaped without any physical trauma.

[Excaliber]

Sounds like the BG's got a good scare down at La Marque if they are the same guys.

It could be they are the same guys. They have a license number and a car with a bullet hole so they should be able to catch the BGs now.

I hope the shooter doesn't get charged for the bullet hole.

Good ammo is expensive.

When the BG's get to court, they should be ordered to pay restitution for the fired rounds.

Edit: That's my sense of justice speaking.

My tactical awareness says shooting at a vehicle, any vehicle, for any reason other than to stop an immediate deadly threat from that vehicle that can't be stopped any other way is a horrible, high liability, and potentially criminally chargeable thing to do. Most police departments even forbid officers from doing so.

[Excaliber]

Folk, when you or your wife (we) are loading groceries into our cars, we are virtually defenseless,

It doesn't have to be that way.

Everybody take a minute, close your eyes and think about your last shopping trip: especially, the part about loading your goodies into your vehicle. Who was around and/or next to you...?

On my last trip there were no vehicles closer than 2 parking spots away from mine. I scanned the area as I approached my vehicle. There was a man sitting in the driver seat of a silver Labcorp HRT. I watched him get out as I put on my motorcycle helmet (after scanning again to see if anyone else had appeared). I check before loading the 'goodies' as I have to reach down to the saddle bags.

oh, and I also face the door when sitting in restaurants :-)

I agree with OldGringo that grocery loading is a high vulnerability task.

I also agree with ghostrider that area scans out to at least 50 feet before and during the process should be standard practice to deal with the recognized potential for confrontation at this time. Spotting approaching people or vehicles early provides options to avoid / evade / react. Waiting until a confrontation develops leaves few if any good options.

[terryg]

oh, and I also face the door when sitting in restaurants :-)

[Off-topic]
I have always, when possible, done this as well - even before CHL. I wonder, if a group of us where to ever get together for quick bite, would we fight for that spot?

[maximus2161]

Just trying to warn everyone, I'll post details later (My wife does not have a CHL). She was robbed while placing groceries in the truck, she was not harmed. BE CAREFUL AND ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mods, move this if it goes somewhere else.

First Im very sorry to hear about this happening to your wife. I know how I would feel in your shoes. Im very glad that she is ok and was unharmed.

I can only imagine the thoughts running thru your mind and hers right now. But she is safe and that is what matters. I do hope the criminal gets caught. I think your statement of "BE CAREFUL AND ALERT!!!!!!" should serve as reminder we all need to be vigilant and mindful as its easy to get sidetracked. It happens to me too.

[hirundo82]

According to the Daily News, the lady at Wal-Mart has a CHL.

http://galvestondailynews.com/story/173378" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They didn't even bother with the usual cliché about "police do not expect charges to be filed."

“(She) struggled with her attacker, who was apparently attempting to take her vehicle, before retrieving a pistol from her vehicle’s console,” La Marque police Detective ... said in a statement.

I should amend what I said yesterday. I consider shooting at a fleeing robber who didn't get anything to be possibly not justifiable, but I wasn't there, and I can understand how it could be justified in some circumstances.

- Jim

Hopefully she learns from this experience and has her pistol with her next time. In the vehicle is better than at home, but parking lot robberies don't always occur by your vehicle.

[baldeagle]

I know some people might take offense to what I'm about to write, so I'm going to clarify before I write it. In no way do I mean to say that folks should not get CHLs and arm themselves nor do I think they should not defend themselves. Having said that, what concerns me about this incident is that it's not the first time. Robbers tend to escalate over time. Since these robbers have been shot at (legally and justifiably), the next ones may decide to shoot first and then hijack the vehicle. I would hope that all of you that frequent that area would be on and stay on red alert. If the next ones get too close, you may never get a chance to reach in the console (or even in your waistband) to defend yourself.

Stay alert, stay safe and be at the ready.

[SpringerFan]

Very glad to hear everyone is OK. Really hope they catch them.

[gwashorn]

I know some people might take offense to what I'm about to write, so I'm going to clarify before I write it. In no way do I mean to say that folks should not get CHLs and arm themselves nor do I think they should not defend themselves. Having said that, what concerns me about this incident is that it's not the first time. Robbers tend to escalate over time. Since these robbers have been shot at (legally and justifiably), the next ones may decide to shoot first and then hijack the vehicle. I would hope that all of you that frequent that area would be on and stay on red alert. If the next ones get too close, you may never get a chance to reach in the console (or even in your waistband) to defend yourself.

Stay alert, stay safe and be at the ready.

To the last line and I made it BOLD, I have already talked to my wife exactly about this. In classes we take and here as well, it can not be said enough, be AWARE and that will help PREVENT you from having to go through this. Plus, and I hate to say this, as I am walking back out to my car, my hands are generally in a caution position. I take a look at who and what is moving around me before I open the doors to load and get in. If just by being openly aware of your surroundings makes the BG move on, then I have won the battle the best way I can.

Gary

[Fangs]

Glad your wife is OK.

I always park out in the back of the lot away from all other vehicles, but no up against a curb or anything. I say it's because I'm too lazy to look for an up close parking space when my friends complain about the walk, but it keeps my car ding-free and there is no other reason for anyone to be within 10 parking spaces of my car. Also gives me a space buffer between any incoming threat, and they have nothing to hide behind.