This morning there was a murder in a church in Texas. A few seconds later, further murders were prevented by the quick action of a counter-murderer who protected the congregation. In the incident, it appears that someone tried to draw a pistol but was unsuccessful and got shot for his trouble. It is possible he was trying to get his cell phone to call for help, though. The footage is not very clear.
What was the requisite level of skill to end this situation? The shot would appear to be two aisles plus the width of a pew.
At the recommended 24 inches per person for 12 people (4 hymnal racks per pew with 3 per), that would be 24 feet for the pew plus 10 feet (two 5 foot aisles). https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/church-architecture-rules-thumb-space-dimensions
Thirty-four feet; call it 12 yards. That’s more than four yards. One shot dropped the murderer. Some reports say that it was a head shot but that remains to be verified. Another report was that the counter-murderer is a retired Law Enforcement Officer. That also remains to be verified.
Let’s keep in mind that when we deliberately take on the responsibility of protecting others, such as being a member of a church security (counter-murder) team, the situation changes. The same would be true for an armed teacher. METT-TC raises its unwelcome head again.
METT-TC
- Mission
- Enemy
- Terrain and Weather
- Troops and Support Available
- Time Available
- Civil Considerations
METT-TC shares something in common with the Merovingian’s comment about causality; “There is no escape from it.”
