| Update: Washington Mall Shooting Victim Hesitated |
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| Written by Daniel White | |
| Friday, 02 December 2005 | |
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A story in today's Washington News Tribune reports that shooting victim Brendan "Dan" McKown drew his own firearm in response to gunman Dominick Maldonado's Nov. 20th shooting spree, but failed to engage. "I’m looking at this guy," McKown said. "He’s a kid. I would have had to shoot him in the head." Unfortunately, his momentary hesitation cost him dearly. He was shot five times, leaving his left leg paralyzed and his right leg with only 10% movement. (Click 'READ MORE' to continue...) McKown reported in interviews that he had heard Maldonado shooting and had drawn his own gun. However, he tucked it into his pants out of fear of getting in the way of police or being arrested for brandishing a weapon in the mall. He soon found himself face to face with the gunman and was shot after trying to talk the man down. "I felt like an idiot," McKown said. "I carried a gun to protect my fellow man." Fortunately, a passerby was an Iraq War vertan and helped to get the bleeding under control, probably saving McKown's life. Reports indicate that another armed citizen may have confronted Maldonado before he met up with McKown, but also held his fire out of fear of hitting bystanders. Five other people were injured by Maldonado before he surrendered to police. This story highlights the fact that regardless of how much training you receive, you never really know how you will react until you are in the heat of the moment. Had the first man stopped the threat, McKown would not have been shot. McKown himself might have altered the outcome had he engaged the gunman. Training is important, but the will to act is much more so. |