Attacked in a Stairwell

Dana Sheets · Post by **Dana Sheets** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 12:04 am

Since stairs are one of the things we really don't have in the dojo often....
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You're on travel for work and flew to a major city for a conference. (so no guns, no knives, no pepper spray) While there you decided to meet with a client in the same town at their office. The meeting went well and broke up about 9:00 pm. Your car is in the parking garage next to the building. Since your last doctor’s visit you’ve vowed to take the stairs instead of the elevator you start climbing to your car on level 4. You’re female, 5’ 6” You’ve got your briefcase and your purse, you’re wearing flats and a pant suit. Your keys are still in your purse. You’re between the second and third floor when the door above you opens and a very serious looking gentle steps into the stairwell. When you smile he doesn’t smile back. You get a bad feeling and turn around to go down the stairs when the door for level 2 opens and another serious looking guy steps into the stairwell. You look back up at the 1st guy, he’s pulled out a gun. He says “If you scream I’ll shoot you. My friend and I are going to have a little fun.”

What do you do?

turbotort2000 · Post by **turbotort2000** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 4:00 am

For crying out loud Dana! Everytime you have a senerio it is worse than the last one! Is the next guy gonna have a gernade launcher and two buddies?

Ok, I am your giunna pig again.

I figure he can't really shoot in the stairwell without endaring his partner. He is above and the unarmed fella is below. If she is athletical enough maybe hopping the railing is not a bad idea and hoping to get by the downstairs guy. If not short term complaince walk towards the bottom guy hands up talking about your having aids and your religion forbids transfer of a deadly diese. When close enough try to kick him between the legs and run if the top guy says stop see how far you made it to evaulate if you can bolt.

sunsu8 · Post by **sunsu8** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 4:06 am

Dana, SENSEI:

This is an excellent post that should get several replies!

From the way that i read this, you are now closed in between levels 2 and 3 with the guy from level 3 pointing a gun in your direction and the guy below closing in on you.

ASSUME:

1- surrender is not an option
2- they could take your life if you do
3- help (if available) would come from lower levels of building
4- you are not willing to fake a seizure or heart attack to fool the attacker
5- you have the warrior spirit with which to defend yourself
6- you are willing to totally commit to your choice of action

TACTICAL DECISIONS:

1-the guy with the gun is most dangerous
2- your best chance for suvival is to make it to the lower level to find help
3- you believe you are in no greater danger if you resist (fight, yell) -vs- going silent like they said
4- you believe you can effectively attack

DECISIONS and ACTIONS:

I would immediately turn and start down the steps (toward the guy without the gun) who looks to be the less dangerous. Just as you are willing to jump into that person, quickly throw the briefcase/purse at the guy as soon as i thought i could jump and hit him simultaneuosly yelling for help (KIAI) If the guy above tried to shoot, the chance of him hiting his friend would be pretty high. I would try to hit the upper torso/chest of the attacker (preferably with my feet or knees) in an attempt to knock him down while he was destracted with briefcase/purse tha was just thrown at him. I would try to land on my feet or roll to my feet and continue as rapidly/safely as possible to exit out the first floor door. All this time making as much noise as i could as loud as i could (and) heading towards the nearest most crowded place available. There i would inform authorities of their whereabouts.

Just my thoughts~SJR

TSDguy · Post by **TSDguy** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 9:17 am

Well, at least one advantage we have is that screaming in a stairwell makes one _hell_ of a lot of noise. I say shriek like a banshee... I mean ear splitting noise and non-stop. That should get them good and nervous I think, plus let them know that you're either too hysterical or too strong willed to be easy to fool with.

Allen M. · Post by **Allen M.** » Mon Apr 08, 2002 10:17 am

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You get a bad feeling and turn around to go down the stairs when the door for level 2 opens and another serious looking guy steps into the stairwell.

I wasn't going to enter the fray, but what if the man from door #2 happens on the scene just to check out the commotion and is doesn't even know the man from door #3?

I guess the big question in my mind about the trapped with no place to go girl, is "Do you feel lucky today?" Maybe what the girl does next should be dictated by those thoughts?

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Allen Moulton from Uechi-ryu Etcetera