Someone tried to shoot me yesterday...

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 9:35am

My gym is in a really nice part of town: a well-to-do housing complex across the street, the whole neighbourhood is really low crime. And when I left aftet my workout, I see these three kid, about 10 or 11 years old, obviously going from car to car in the parking lot to find something to steal.

I yelled at them, and one takes out a handgun, points it at me, and fires.

The shot went high, but I'd already hit the dirt behind one of the cars. I could hear them running off, but I didnt want to move for the next ten minutes. I mean, what if they came back? I'd seen them. I'd be able to recognize them. But they didnt, and I went back into the gym to call the police.

The cops showed up a few minutes later, and I gave them as much description as I could of three kids who were perhaps twenty yards away. It wasnt much, and I doubt theyll find them. And I was handling it fine until I got up this morning and realized, Damn, I could have been killed yesterday.

These were not inner city kids. If anything, I'd bet they lived in one of the mini-mansions across the street and were just out having fun breaking into cars because it amused them to do so. And I'm sitting here, right now, doing my level best to be calm and logical about the fact that statistically it's real unlikely that will ever happen again in my life — and yet another part of me is wondering what the living hell is going on that a ten year old is wandering around in broad daylight with a loaded handgun!?! Freaking handguns are heavily restricted in Canada, and yet here's this kid walking around with one.

I am not one of those paranoids who reacts to something like this by thinking he should run down to WalMart and buy another shotgun for personal safety. I own a hunting rifle, which I rarely use. Guns have their place... but a kid this young waving one around is not of them.

Honestly, there are times when I'm glad I'm getting to the age where I can see my time on this rock is limited. And I dont envy anyone now growing up in this increasingly insane world.

All right, enough. Back to your discussions of who played which role better. I just felt I needed to share this.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 9:51am

Holy Crap! Thank God they aimed high. *BIG HUGS*

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:04am

I can't even imagine. I would be out of sorts for a long time over such an experience.

[Wynbish]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:09am

Wow, I'm glad you're okay and safe. Maybe the cops will find them, if the gym had cameras or if they try to steal from a different parking lot that has cameras.

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:11am

Yeah you got that over with. Probably won't happen again. I've only had a gun pulled on me three times- and, well, that third time they were actually shooting at my neighbor so it probably doesn't count.

[best12bars]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:16am

Makes me sad and sick to think of ten-year-olds running around with handguns.

Thank God you're all right.

[NYadgal]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:27am

Agree - so sad to think of our children running around with handguns, and so little life direction.

Adding my voice to the chorus of those who are celebrating that you are ok!

[ErikJ972]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:33am

Glad to hear you're ok. I don't know if this will make you feel any better...but everything you're feeling is a perfectly normal reaction to a tramatic experience. It's good you're talking about it and processing it. That will help.

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:34am

Thank god you are ok! I am so sorry that happened to you! I wish you peace of mind and heart after that. xo

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:48am

I was held up at gun point twice back in the bad ass 70's living in Brooklyn, Once forced into my apartment with a gun to my head. It takes a long while to get over it. Be kind to yourself and try not to allow the "what ifs?" drive you paranoid.
I sincerely hope the cops catch those little Fcukers!

[Marianne2]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 10:52am

So glad you are okay.

We do live in a scary society sometimes. I can't believe a child would get access to something so horrible and carry it around like it's no big deal.

[Borstalboy]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 11:01am

Yikes! So sorry this happened to you, Sean.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 11:08am

Jesus, a 10 year old, really? I hate to be one of those people, but when I hear stories like these I really do worry about where the world is headed, how awful.
I'm so glad you're okay, Sean, that's such a terrible experience to go through. I'm glad it had a happy ending and that you're safe.

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 11:31am

OMG, thanks god you're ok. I'd be in the same shape as Namo-a wreck. for a long time to come.

Have the cops found the shell?

[YouWantitWhen????]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 11:46am

Glad you are OK.

I have had a shotgun pointed at me (HS Prank gone very wrong), but never fired.

It is good that you are talking it out. It is scary out there sometimes, when you least expect it.

[SeanMartin]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 11:48am

Thanks, all. I'm doing my level best at the moment not to let this overwhelm things, so the words of concern are appreciated.

Jane: yes, they found it — or at least I'm assuming they did. While I talked to one of the cops, the other was walking the parking lot, so I gather he was looking for it.

The thing that freaked me out more than anything (well, aside from nearly getting killed by a ten year old, of course) is that this was a handgun. I mean, you dont see those that often up here in Canada, unless it's a policeman or a Mountie holding it. And I just dont want to think that we're heading down that road.

Again, thanks, all. Truly, this whole thing has been such a WTF moment.....

[PalJoey]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 11:49am

Scary. And you're in Canada, where such things are not supposed to happen!

[AC126748]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 11:50am

It's chilling to just even read what you wrote, so I can't imagine what it was like to have lived it. I'm glad you weren't harmed.

[After Eight]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 12:08pm

Terrible and terrifying.

I'm glad you were not harmed.

Hope you're doing ok.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 12:38pm

I'm so glad you're okay. I would be a wreck for weeks.

[theaternut]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 12:38pm

So glad you are ok. I wonder if there was any kind of surveillance set up? I hope they catch them. But most important; I am glad you are ok.

[JbaraFan1]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 1:31pm

I'm so glad the little sh!t missed! omg, that must've been surreal!

[Reginald Tresilian]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 3:08pm

I can't imagine what that must have been like. I'm glad you're okay.

[wexy]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 3:14pm

Crazy.. like the rest of the crew i'm glad that he missed.

[justagirl2]

Posted: 4/2/13 at 3:18pm

Wow, that is terrifying (both your experience, and the fact that kids are handling guns in that manner). So glad you're still here, Sean!