Especially during rush hour traffic in major cities, it is now commonplace for drivers to go over the top with aggressive actions, and in some cases even turn deadly. For one Philadelphia woman navigating rush hour traffic Wednesday, it was her firearm and quick reaction that may have saved her life.
Authorities say the incident unfolded in the University City neighborhood at around 5:30 p.m. A 27-year-old woman was at an intersection when she became the target of anger from a 22-year-old man driving a Chevrolet.
Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small reported that the young man exited his vehicle with a crowbar and proceeded to smash the rear window of the woman’s vehicle.
That woman, however, was lawfully armed and knew exactly what to do. She shot her attacker in the groin, and the attack immediately halted.
The suffering young man then attempted to drive himself to the hospital but fell out of his vehicle a short distance away. From there he was transported by ambulance to Penn Presbyterian Hospital with what are described as serious injuries.
Law enforcement said another woman was a passenger in the man’s car, but she fled from the scene on foot.
Police confirmed the 27-year-old woman had a valid concealed carry license. Fearing for her safety, she left the scene but called the authorities to explain what happened when she reached a family member’s home. She is cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
At last word, the attacker is still hospitalized in critical condition. Upon recovery he will almost certainly be charged with the daylight attack on the woman.
It is advisable for this courageous young woman to hire a good attorney. If this were Texas, she would not face legal jeopardy for a clear case of justified self-defense. In Philadelphia, it may be another story.
There are some encouraging signs for the City of Brotherly Love. In a metropolis that suffered from over 500 murders in each of the last three years, the violent crime rate has dropped in 2023. WPVI-TV reported that homicides as of May 1 were down an impressive 14% compared to the same period just last year.
Non-lethal shootings were down another 18% over the first four months of 2022. Meanwhile, prosecutors are doing a better job of ensuring that violent criminals are kept behind bars. The homicide clearance rate jumped from 50% to 65%, meaning that those who commit murder are more likely to be imprisoned for their crime.
Even with these positive steps, it is smart for Philadelphia residents such as this young woman to carry to protect themselves. As her attacker found out, there is no line of defense like a law-abiding citizen being armed and ready to protect themselves from those who have no regard for human life or safety.
Time and time again, a private citizen is forced to be their own first responder. The female victim had no time to call law enforcement and nowhere to flee to get away from this person. She resorted to the only response she could make and be certain to walk away from the incident.
If the rabid anti-gun zealots were successful, this woman would have been trapped in her vehicle in the middle of the day while being attacked by a crazed road rager. Options are few if any if a person is assaulted in their vehicle while stuck in traffic.
Thankfully for her and millions of others like her, the Second Amendment protected her right to armed self-defense.
