FallonJeeper
Regular Member
Mistake #1: Chasing the hit-and-run vehicle longer than necessary to call 911, give a tag number, description of vehicle, and what had occurred.
Mistake #2: Trying to block the hit-and-run vehicle in.
Mistake #3: Unless he honestly felt his life was in imminent danger, he had no reason to fire.
I'll grant that a vehicle is a deadly weapon. But if you are not in the direct path of it and the driver is not steering at you, you do not have self-defense as a legal option. Steering at your car and you are not in it is not justification for the use of deadly force.
As for HPCSD, I agree that it is bad strategy, but circumstances sometimes dictate it as a necessary tactic. If you are forced into using that tactic, you had better have your ducks in a row and have access to some large sums of money because you are going to be dragged through the legal system. Just as Mr. Eakens is about to find out.
I tend to agree with CSINEV. The shooter most likely saw the police on TV shooting at a vehicle under similar circumstances.
Regardless of #1 and #2, neither of which is a crime, only a poor decision, if he can prove #3, he's a free man.