Bloomington Road Rage Report

[ColdSteel223]

https://bloomingtonian.com/2020/08/...oshmlt9hb6VcxeGWh-55pxNbxyK4D11UrHFI-cjSkp1Qw

A man reported to the Bloomington Police Department that while trying to park another motorist became agitated, yelled at him, and showed what appeared to be a gun.
Police said the road rage incident happened Wednesday around 12:14 p.m. as a man was being tailgated on Basswood while driving slowly looking for a parking spot. When the driver stopped, a man got out, began yelling, pulled up his shirt, and showed was appeared to be a gun.
Somebody in a nearby apartment witnessed the incident and called the police. Police were able to locate the man, and he told them it was an airsoft gun.
“That’s a good way to get shot,” said Bloomington Police Lt. John Kovach.

 

[jerrob]

The LT isn't wrong.

 

[ajeandy]

Great way to get shot and the guy is an idiot for trying to intimidate someone with a fake gun.

 

[KellyinAvon]

The LT isn't wrong.

I’ll second that.

 

[DeadeyeChrista'sdad]

I wonder if a brandishing charge would still be applicable? Intimidation?

 

[T.Lex]

IIRC, there's an Indiana case with almost that exact same fact pattern (lifting shirt to reveal waistband-tucked pistol). Also IIRC, an appellate court said there was no crime in doing that.

Been a LONG time since I read that case, though.

ETA:
There is no "brandishing charge" in Indiana.

 

[Leadeye]

Makes you wonder if they could just write a ticket for stupid behavior.

 

[churchmouse]

Makes you wonder if they could just write a ticket for stupid behavior.

If so could this be on a sliding scale. This amount of stupid is off the charts.

 

[fullmetaljesus]

So let's play this out.

Person1 flashes fake gun
Person2 in fear for their life pulls real gun and fires
Person1 dies.

What happens legally to person2?

 

[KittySlayer]

Makes you wonder if they could just write a [STRIKE]ticket[/STRIKE] Toe Tag for stupid behavior.

FIFY

Name: Darwin, John
Cause of Death: Stupidity (and COVID of course)

 

[hpclayto]

So let's play this out.

Person1 flashes fake gun
Person2 in fear for their life pulls real gun and fires
Person1 dies.

What happens legally to person2?

In Monroe County? Nothing good I can assure you.

 

[Dirtebiker]

I wonder if a brandishing charge would still be applicable? Intimidation?

No “brandishing” law in Indiana.

 

[Dirtebiker]

So let's play this out.

Person1 flashes fake gun
Person2 in fear for their life pulls real gun and fires
Person1 dies.

What happens legally to person2?

Person two should face murder charges, or at least manslaughter. Lifting your shirt, while stupid, is not criminal. Shooting someone without good reason is.

 

[Tryin']

Person two should face murder charges, or at least manslaughter. Lifting your shirt, while stupid, is not criminal. Shooting someone without good reason is.

Come on up. I get to lift my shirt twice. If you incorrectly "shoot" me, you buy me a steak. If I "shoot" you, you buy me a steak. If you "shoot" me between "lifting my shirt" and me drawing and "firing", I buy you a steak.