Stabbed trying to break up fight
Today's Missoulian (local newspaper) reported an incident from Saturday night. An individual with his girlfriend outside a bar at closing witnessed a fight. He went over to intervene and the attacker turned his aggression toward him. He was stabbed and ended up in the hospital requiring surgery.
This illustrates how quickly things happen. He must of thought he would be able to separate the two and ended up in the hospital. If it is not your job to intervene, the safe thing to do is call the police and note everything you can about the situation to report to the authorities.
What if the person you want to aid won't make it until the authorities arrive? That's a tough call. In most jurisdictions, you do have the right to defend another person. It is a question that only you can answer. In the situation this last weekend in Missoula, the paper reported they were still investigating just what happened. The person who did the stabbing was arrested, but he is claiming self-defense regarding the guy he stabbed and put in the hospital. The police do not know the entire story yet. (and they may never know everything)
I don't have all the answers, but this should give you something to think about. I do believe there are times we need to intervene to help others. Those of us with training can better do this than those without training or ability to help. However, if we do intervene we must be aware that the situation can escalate and be prepared to act accordingly. I believe in helping others, but I also have a family to go home to. I would be more likely to help a woman being assaulted in a mall parking lot than two males engaging in a bar fight at 2:00 am outside the watering hole. You need to determine what you will fight for, so if the time ever comes you can act accordingly.
Stay Safe
This illustrates how quickly things happen. He must of thought he would be able to separate the two and ended up in the hospital. If it is not your job to intervene, the safe thing to do is call the police and note everything you can about the situation to report to the authorities.
What if the person you want to aid won't make it until the authorities arrive? That's a tough call. In most jurisdictions, you do have the right to defend another person. It is a question that only you can answer. In the situation this last weekend in Missoula, the paper reported they were still investigating just what happened. The person who did the stabbing was arrested, but he is claiming self-defense regarding the guy he stabbed and put in the hospital. The police do not know the entire story yet. (and they may never know everything)
I don't have all the answers, but this should give you something to think about. I do believe there are times we need to intervene to help others. Those of us with training can better do this than those without training or ability to help. However, if we do intervene we must be aware that the situation can escalate and be prepared to act accordingly. I believe in helping others, but I also have a family to go home to. I would be more likely to help a woman being assaulted in a mall parking lot than two males engaging in a bar fight at 2:00 am outside the watering hole. You need to determine what you will fight for, so if the time ever comes you can act accordingly.
Stay Safe
posted by Alain at
9:21 AM
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