Cabbie Shot to Death in Phoenix

[Olmstein]

Just thought I would share this with you all. As many of you know, I drive a taxi in Phoenix, AZ. I don't drive in the area of town where this happened, though.


PHOENIX -- Phoenix police say a Discount Cab driver has been shot to death in north Phoenix.

Detective James Holmes says witnesses reported seeing a cab driver opening the driver side door and falling out of the cab with a gunshot wound to the neck.

Holmes says witnesses watched a woman exit the taxi and walk into the Highland Park apartments at 27th Avenue and Myrtle north of Glendale Avenue.

A witness followed the woman, but backed off after it appeared she was armed.

The shooter is described as a black female, 5-feet-1 to 5-feet-2 inches tall, 110 to 120 pounds with long, dark hair. She was seen wearing a red sweat shirt and black pants. Police consider her armed and dangerous.

Link (http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/11/19/cabbie-shot-death-phoenix/)

[MNeagle]

Stay safe Olmstein. Are you allowed to carry while working for your own protection?

[Olmstein]

It's legal to carry here in AZ, but the cab companies frown on it. Since I own no firearms, I do not carry. I depend on my instincts and physical presence to keep me safe.

[solid]

It's legal to carry here in AZ, but the cab companies frown on it. Since I own no firearms, I do not carry. I depend on my instincts and physical presence to keep me safe.


I admire that Olm, but remember it was a 5 foot 1, 110 lb shooter in this case. Don't under estimate anyone. It's eye-opening to read about someone dying in the same line of work.

Being a cad driver can be a dangerous job. Be safe out there.

[Gaillo]

It's legal to carry here in AZ, but the cab companies frown on it. Since I own no firearms, I do not carry. I depend on my instincts and physical presence to keep me safe.


What forum are you posting to? :conf:

Get that fixed, my friend! ;)

[Book]

Since I own no firearms, I do not carry. I depend on my instincts and physical presence to keep me safe.



http://www.blueq.com/modules/ecs/images/125837327_m.png

Someone must have not been READING any threads at GSUS and GIM all these years.

:o

I'm shocked Olmstein. Shocked.

[hoarder]

Even if a cabbie is armed, it must be damn near impossible to defend yourself against a cold blooded murderer in the back seat while you're in the front seat facing forward.
Get a handgun, don't tell your employer. At least you might be able to get off a shot after you get shot and prevent the scumbag from killing anyone else.

[solid]

Even if a cabbie is armed, it must be damn near impossible to defend yourself against a cold blooded murderer in the back seat while you're in the front seat facing forward.


Exactly. Firearms can bring false confidence, which is a weakness actually.

The real question, is where to actually keep the firearm in the cab. Sitting in a cab doesn't give much options to react quickly, if needed. The sitting position, is just that...a sitting duck position.

[kregener]

Since I own no firearms, I do not carry. I depend on my instincts and physical presence to keep me safe.


Good luck with that then...

[mrnhtbr2232]

It's legal to carry here in AZ, but the cab companies frown on it. Since I own no firearms, I do not carry. I depend on my instincts and physical presence to keep me safe.


You mean the lawyers for the cab company frown on it - can't have anyone out there shooting passengers that just happen to be nut jobs because it's bad for business. And I find it hard to believe one of our own doesn't have the means to level the playing field - it almost sounds like a gun boating accident to throw us off the scent. If you're truly unarmed, that means when the SHTF you're going to need someone who is. That very dependency is what contributes to an entitlement society.

[iOWNme]

Holmes says witnesses watched a woman exit the taxi and walk into the Highland Park apartments at 27th Avenue and Myrtle north of Glendale Avenue.


Not too good of an area...Not the worst in Phx, but not great either.

Although they do not 'allow' you to carry a weapon, if I was a taxi driver, i would be armed to the teeth. Be safe, and keep your third eye open.

[iOWNme]

It's legal to carry here in AZ, but the cab companies frown on it. Since I own no firearms, I do not carry. I depend on my instincts and physical presence to keep me safe.


Your employer 'frowns' upon you protecting your own life. Really think about that.......

[Cebu_4_2]

I think cabs should have 1" of lexan between the front and back, a little 1/2" gap for a center window overlapping so you can talk to passangers would work. No one can shoot anyone then plus they can slip money through the window.

[solid]

I think cabs should have 1" of lexan between the front and back, a little 1/2" gap for a center window overlapping so you can talk to passangers would work. No one can shoot anyone then plus they can slip money through the window.


That's the best idea, but would cost the cab company some money. Olm, you could mount another mirror in the cab, angled so you could see the passengers hands in the back seat. Then pay close attention to body language.

You need to find a way to see their hands, so you don't get ambushed. Even if you have a gun, it won't help you unless you have time to use it.

Does your cab also have a camera mounted recording the fare? There was a case a while back, a cab driver was giving 4 drunk women a lift home after they went to the clubs. The drunk women refused to pay, so an argument ensued. One of the drunk women called the police reporting false rape.

The only thing that saved the cabbie, was he had the whole thing on video. That drunk woman could have ruined the poor guys life for false rape.

A few things to think about. I hope you take protecting yourself seriously. Too many follks have the "it won't happen to me" mentality. You have a dangerous job, find ways to make it less dangerous.

[solid]

A holster based on this design might be the ideal choice for a cab driver. The gun is already prepositioned for shooting right across the seat back ( works if the opponent is right behind you )

http://fabrikade.sg/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/rita-1.jpg


Good find. Mount this holster on your right side though. Practice using your left hand to unholster the gun. Think of your sitting position in the car, trying to use a gun right-handed is worthless.

If you decide to carry a gun, you are going to need to practice with it with your left hand..even if you are right handed.

[Olmstein]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not against guns. I have owned guns in the past, and I may buy a gun in the future.

I have just never felt the need for a gun in my daily life. Like solid said above, "Firearms can bring false confidence". I think this is very true.

mrnhtbr2232, I have a different perspective. You said "If you're truly unarmed, that means when the SHTF you're going to need someone who is." I think when TSHTF, one of you guys with a mini arsenal is going to need some help shooting all those guns, and would welcome a trained shooter with his own PMs and preps.

The cab company in the story has cameras in some of their cars, but not all cabs have them. I rarely have any problems as I've been doing this a few years and know what to look out for. The guy who got shot had less than 1 month experience.

[mrnhtbr2232]

mrnhtbr2232, I have a different perspective. You said "If you're truly unarmed, that means when the SHTF you're going to need someone who is." I think when TSHTF, one of you guys with a mini arsenal is going to need some help shooting all those guns, and would welcome a trained shooter with his own PMs and preps.


With all due respect I've already got my network. If you're a trained shooter that means you understand guns are a must-have for a first response, which is why your comments don't make sense to me. Your PMs and preps won't get you very far if you wait until its too late. As for your chosen vocation I'm not judging it other than making the observation that you place yourself in danger every time you put a stranger in the back seat. There's a reason it's better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6. Everyone I know (except you) is armed. It's not a matter of bravado or fetish, it's a practical assumption of personal responsibility for one's safety and security. Some of us are more endowed than others in that regard but if you have nothing at all you have....<i>nothing at all</i>. I sure wouldn't want to be in that situation personally but I respect you as a member and sincerely wish you good luck.

[kregener]

"Firearms can bring false confidence"

Only to the very simple-minded.

[solid]

"Firearms can bring false confidence"

Only to the very simple-minded.


A gun is a tool. It takes in depth knowledge, proper training, and understanding on how to use, when to use...and when NOT to use it.

Over confidence with any tool leads to accidents happening.

If all these over confident idiots out there causing gun accidents, makes all gun owners look bad. >:(

[iOWNme]

Carrying a firearm to protect your own life is one of the most cherished, sought after responsibilities one can have in life......

Freedom = Responsibility

[mick silver]

i never leave home without my buddy in my pocket

[JDRock]

....life isnt a video game....no do-overs...these Creeps play for keeps, you should too.

[Awoke]

mrnhtbr2232, I have a different perspective. You said "If you're truly unarmed, that means when the SHTF you're going to need someone who is." I think when TSHTF, one of you guys with a mini arsenal is going to need some help shooting all those guns, and would welcome a trained shooter with his own PMs and preps.


My arsenal is reserved for myself, my Wife and my kids.
No reason you shouldn't have your own arsenal. Especially in a state that honors the 2A right.

[MNeagle]

mrnhtbr2232, I have a different perspective. You said "If you're truly unarmed, that means when the SHTF you're going to need someone who is." I think when TSHTF, one of you guys with a mini arsenal is going to need some help shooting all those guns, and would welcome a trained shooter with his own PMs and preps.


My arsenal is reserved for myself, my Wife and my kids.
No reason you shouldn't have your own arsenal. Especially in a state that honors the 2A right.


I agree Awoke.

Perhaps family/friends may allow you access to their guns Olmstein, but no sane stranger would, regardless of your PMs or food.

I wouldn't.

[Awoke]

Any GIMer or GSuser will likely have their own food and water along side their guns and ammo, none of which they will want to share.