April 2016, Parkville, Baltimore County

One man was walking to his car on a parking lot when two youths approached him. One of the youths said, “Excuse me, Sir,” the other one had his hand in his pocket right before he reached his car where the two youths stood in front of the hood. The youth nearest the car and the line of cars in the parking lot had his right hand in his pocket; the other, larger youth, stepped up next to the man, effectively cornering him between the row of cars, his car and the youth. The boy with the gun blocked the lane between the man’s car and the SUV parked next to him. The man was blocked by the front of the SUV to his left, and to his right, by the larger boy. As he considered turning and running and thought it was not an option, the larger boy said, “Give over your shit.” The man handed over his wallet and his smart phone, and the boys fled.

Had the man turned and fled, if the boy was of a mind to shoot him, he would have made an excellent close target. Also, he could have been easily tackled by the larger boy if he had turned in front of him. This is typical of how hand guns are used in a robbery in the city with a technique modified in a parking lot, with the parked cars serving the function of the walls of a building in a city stick up. Once in this situation, the man was just in a horrible position.

There are three answers to this.

1. As soon as the boys are spotted, move to the left, through the lane of cars, as if your car is in another area and make your way back to the establishment you left to call the police.

2. Turn right and walk across the drive lane through the next row of cars, betting that the boy that was in line with you has the gun and the one advanced and to your right is the blocking partner in the case of a stick up and would now be between you and the possible shooter.

3. If things become apparent after you have passed the last gap in the cars to your left and the flanker is already to your right, if you are of a mind to fight, you should grapple with him and keep him between you and the other boy other boy as long as possible.