A punch can inflict serious bodily injury or even death. Two punches nearly killed an elderly man in Florida last week, according to a report from NBC Miami. Police believe the attacker became angry over a perceived slight moments earlier in the parking lot of a Walgreens. As the old man approached the door, video shows the attack. A pair of roundhouse punches to the seasoned citizen put his lights out.
The attack left the 68-year-old man in a medically induced coma. Police are now seeking the attacker as the public asks itself, “How can someone do this? Especially someone with a small child with him?”
From NBC Miami:
Broward Sheriff’s Office released surveillance video Monday which shows the violent encounter between Anthony DePaul, 68, and another man, who was walking with a child.
The victim’s son, Armany DePaul, said he was worried when his father never came home the day of the attack.
…The incident happened at the front doors of the Walgreens on the 200 block of S. Federal Highway. Around 7:30 p.m., DePaul parked near the entrance of the store before walking to the front doors where the suspect and a young boy stood, BSO said.
Footage shows the two men exchange words and the suspect appears to tell the young boy to step aside before he punches the 68-year-old in the face. The man punches the elderly man several times until the victim falls to the ground, video shows.
From the video, it appears the older man may have relied far too much on his size. His assailant displayed a number of pre-violence indicators. Mr. DePaul either didn’t recognize them or chose to ignore them. He didn’t even have his hands up to block the incoming strikes. The first punch stunned him. The second one knocked him out cold.
Plenty of lessons here that we can learn from.
First off, prudence demands going elsewhere if you have a disagreement with an idiot in any public location. If you think someone’s angry with you (or acting suspiciously), avoid them and leave. Walking away from trouble doesn’t make for viral video, but it makes for smart living. That rule for winning a gun fight — don’t be there — applies to winning physical confrontations like this as well.
Secondly, attacks can happen anywhere at any time. Even if you don’t participate in stupid activities in stupid places, sometimes the stupid will find you. The assailant in this case gave off a host of pre-violence indicators including body preparation and posturing.
Immediately before the punch, the man told the boy to step aside, bladed and then loaded his punch. The assailant “leaked” these signals of his intent. By reading pre-attack signals, alert people can create distance to increase the reactionary gap. Distance equals time. Time gives you options. And lastly, options mean safety.
Carry your firearm and learn situational awareness. By getting out of the way of a confrontation, you can avoid using deadly force, or having it used on you. Or, as in the case of Mr. DePaul, you can end up a coma in the hospital.