Incredible Story Of Self-Defense

This post is non-Minnesota related, but what an inspiring story of self-defense. This could prove instructive to those that live, work, and play in Minneapolis. Don't let yourself become another Michael Zebuhr.

[Hat tip to Casual Reader from Anti-Strib.]

Ex-Marine Apologizes For Killing Robbery Suspect

ATLANTA -- A former Marine cook was acting in fear of his life and will not face charges for fatally stabbing one teenager and wounding a second while fending off a robbery in Midtown Atlanta by a group of youths armed with two guns and a pair of brass knuckles.

Police spokeswoman Sylvia Abernathy says 36-year-old Thomas Autry acted in self-defense when the suspects jumped him Monday night and he struck back with a pocket knife he had.

The girl he stabbed, 17-year-old Amy Martin, was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital. The accomplice who was wounded, 17-year-old Christopher Daniel, was listed in critical condition at Atlanta Medical Center yesterday afternoon.

Daniel and three other youths involved in the robbery, a 16-year-old and 17-year-olds Kendall Barksdale and Christopher Hayes, were charged with aggravated assault and armed robbery.

The day after the attack, Autry returned to his girlfriend's apartment, where he had the locks changed. He told Channel 2 Action News he doesn't feel like a hero.

"I was just trying to protect myself. I'm sorry," he said.

Autry, who was stationed in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War, says he tried to flee his attackers but they caught him and one of them pointed a gun at him.

Autry began running down the street yelling for help. Residents who heard him called 911. While he was running, Autry pulled a pocket knife from his backpack.

Two of the robbers jumped from the car. When one of the robbers pointed a shotgun at him, the Autry kicked it out of his hands.

At that point two of the robbers jumped on the victim. During the struggle he stabbed both Martin and Daniel. Martin died of her wounds.

The current culture demands that we defend ourselves from street thugs, criminal vermin, and predators of all types. It doesn't hurt to have been trained by the USMC, but for the time being regular citizens still have resources available to enhance their self-defense capabilities. Take advantage of those rights.

Don't be a victim.

[There is a discussion on this matter in a car forum, again on a tip from Casual Reader, here.]