Jerusalem Gunfight

The official line of this gunfight can be found at The Jerusalem Post. In short, an armed security guard was followed by an assailant, who eventually had an opportunity to snatch the guard's pistol. The assailant took the opportunity and tried to flee. The two guards gave chase.

The assailant tried to fire the pistol at his pursuers at one point, but does not disengage the safety. He is eventually gunned down by his pursuer. In all, ten people, including the gunless security guard, were wounded in the gunfight. Of course, the family and supporters of the dead criminal/terrorist are fabricating stories. Go to the linked story for that.

Here, lets put the politics aside and simply examine the dynamics of the gunfight. The guard never knew he was being targeted until it was too late. His assailant followed him, talking on a cellphone for at least several minutes, around corners and through alleyways. The guards were both blissfully in condition white as their assailant planned his attack and waited for the optimal location.

When he snatched the weapon, he got control of it quickly and hopped several steps backwards to gain distance between himself and the bewildered guard. A quick response at that time would have taken him down. A retention holster or a lanyard would have prevented the snatch.

As he runs away from his pursuers, bystanders are unaware of what is happening around them. They seem to be in disbelief, even when the firearm is in sight. It is not until shots are actually fired that the bystanders scurry away. The assailant stops running, turns to shoot the pursuing guard, but is unable to fire the pistol. Reportedly, the safety is engaged. The guard catches up, sweeps the pistol to the side, and tries to wrestle the assailant down, placing him in an ineffective headlock. His partner is unable to get a clear shot.

The assailant retains the pistol and slips out of the guard's headlock. Had he continued to run like a jackrabbit, he might have gotten away. Instead, after he has again gained distance, he attempts to conceal the handgun in the small of his back. That decision slows him down, and the guard's partner catches up. The partner takes cover as does the assailant. The partner fires, striking the assailant when he steps out from cover to run again. The wounded assailant crumples in the middle of the street, firing wildly at the retreating partner.

What can be learned? First and foremost, if you have cover, use it. Do not give it up and run out in the open in an attempt to get away. Second, if you are trying to escape pursuers, distance and speed are your friends. Do not give up either to do unnecessary things like engage your pursuers, or conceal a gun. Put obstacles between yourself and your pursuers. Make them work to catch you. Run as if your life depends on it. It just might. Whatever you do, do not slow down.

Lastly, after the guard had hit the assailant, bringing him to the ground, he retreated. In so doing, he insured safety for himself after stopping the escape. He drew back to re-evaluate the situation. How the encounter ends is not on the tape, but the result is a dead assailant.