Massad Ayoob - Don't Leave the Scene after a Self-Defense Shooting

There is a myth out there that after a self-defense shooting, as long as there are no witnesses, you can just shovel and shut up. Although they might think it could save them a legal headache, it is a big mistake. Expert Witness Massad Ayoob knows all about cases like this. He examines a few examples and offers helpful tips of what to do after a self defense shooting.

Watch Part 2 of this discussion. "What do you say." Massad presents a 5 point checklist of things to do after a self-defense shooting.

ABOUT MASSAD AYOOB:
Massad Ayoob has been handgun editor of GUNS magazine and law enforcement columnist for AMERICAN HANDGUNNER since the 1970s, and has published thousands of articles in gun magazines, martial arts publications, and law enforcement journals. He is the author of some twenty books on firearms, self-defense, and related topics, including “In the Gravest Extreme” and “Deadly Force,” widely considered to be authoritative texts on the topic of the use of lethal force.

The winner of the Outstanding American Handgunner of the Year Award in 1998, Mas has won several state and regional handgun shooting championships. Ayoob was the first person to earn the title of Five Gun Master in the International Defensive Pistol Association. He is the current President of the Second Amendment Foundation. He served 19 years as chair of the Firearms Committee of the American Society of Law Enforcement Trainers, and several years as a member of the Advisory Board of the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association. In addition to teaching for those groups, he has also taught
for the International Association of Law Enforcement Firearms Instructors and the International Homicide Investigators seminars.

Mas has received judicial recognition as an expert witness for the courts in weapons and shooting cases since 1979, and served as a fully sworn and empowered, part time police officer for 43 years, mostly at supervisor rank. Ayoob founded the Lethal Force Institute in 1981 and served as its director until 2009, and now trains through Massad Ayoob Group. He has
appeared on CLE-TV delivering continuing legal education for attorneys, through the American Law Institute and American Bar Association, and has been retained to train attorneys to handle deadly force cases through the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network. Ayoob served for two
years as co-vice chair of the Forensic Evidence Committee of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He also appeared in each episode of Personal Defense TV (Sportsman’s Channel).

#MassadAyoob #WilsonCombat #CriticalMas

[cberge]

Wow. That is indeed a horrible myth. Only leave the scene if it is not safe to stay on scene.

[schmidtholzoutdooradventur]

I recall being a kid in the early 2000s reading defence shooting articles featuring Massad from the 70s and 80s. If this makes it to you Mr. Ayoob, just know you became a trusted source of advice and have been respected by many generations throughout your career. Thank you.

[tonyj]

Yes, the ONLY time you should leave the scene of a defensive shooting is if the scene is not secure and other threats are potentially imminent. Contact authorities as soon as you are in a safe position.

[yourfreedomisanillusion]

Run, don’t wait and look around. They’ll get a better description of you!

[TekGalen]

That depends on where you are. In Texas, the self-defense shooter has no legal obligation to stay on scene. This was well established by lawyers talking about that Taqueria self-defense situation in Houston.

[sasquatchman]

This is the only option. Also if your vehicle is close to the scene, safely place your weapon in said vehicle. When the cops get there they won’t know exactly what happened and it’s better to be visible, unarmed, and a non threat. Taking a seat on the ground is another good option since it puts you in a less threatening position. Once they get there let them know who you are, where your weapon is, and that it is unloaded and safely stored. Let them take it from there.

[carryeveryday]

You 100% can leave but you gotta be calling the police. A good lawyer can explain you left to get out of any further danger.

[rotorheadv]

Not to mention security cameras. They are everywhere.

[lisarak]

Good words, good logic, , thank you for teaching us.

[BirdDogey]

It wouldn't hurt for the cops and prosecutors not to behave in a corrupt manner.

[bgreg]

Mas, I love your instruction! But I have been taught not to look for witnesses, but to look for bad guys, so that is what I scan for! I want to be judged by 12, rather then be carried by 6!

[NoOdLz]

Reminds me of a stupid myth some old guy told me that 'if you shoot a home invader and they fall outside your door, drag them back inside the house so it doesn't look like you shot them on your porch'. Bro, that's going to make it look waaaay worse in the investigation 😂

[xzhurdv]

It depends. After a shooting usually the crowd disperses, but there’s a danger that if you linger around a bad neighborhood waiting for the cops the crowd might come back angrier and better armed. In that case the prudent course is to leave and explain yourself later.

[redclayscholar]

Just because you don't see anyone doesn't mean someone isn't watching.
Also, cameras.

[dlsamson]

Here's what I believe to be a key part of the issue. It's about taking responsibility for your actions.

[danielmackormack]

Thank you for sharing your expert experience 💯

[johnjacob]

Flight can be construed as "consciousness of guilt." Cameras are ubiquitous these days. Something to remember.

[Ghastly_Grinner]

The best thing we can do is always do jury duty an never under any circumstances convict a man for doing the right thing no smattering what "the law" says

[slyllamademon]

You also want to go to the hospital after a self defense shooting or altercation. You could be hurt physically or mentally in such a way that is fatal or permanent, and that needs to be diagnosed and treated.

[brianlopez]

this is The Man about guns and shooting