Vigilantism - consequences of taking the 'law' unto oneself

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of vigilantism as illustrated by a recent shooting incident in Las Vegas, initially perceived as road rage but later revealed to involve neighbors. Participants explore the broader societal trends of individuals taking law enforcement into their own hands, particularly in contexts of rising crime and reduced police presence.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern that the Las Vegas shooting exemplifies the dangers of vigilantism, particularly when combined with firearms and heightened emotions.
  • One participant questions the judgment of the mother involved in the incident for confronting an armed individual while bringing her son along with a weapon.
  • Another participant notes the confusion surrounding the events, suggesting that a missing person of interest may have played a role and that the mother should have contacted the police instead of intervening.
  • There are claims that the narrative around the mother being an innocent victim has evolved, with indications that she and her son were actively seeking confrontation with the shooter.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the accuracy of media reports and suggests that the situation is more complex than initially presented.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the appropriateness of the actions taken by the individuals involved in the shooting or the broader implications of vigilantism. Multiple competing views are expressed regarding the motivations and decisions of those involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the evolving nature of the narrative surrounding the incident, indicating that initial reports may have lacked critical context and details, which complicates the understanding of the events.

Astronuc
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Las Vegas shooting: Not road rage, but cautionary vigilante tale?
A deadly shooting in Las Vegas was thought to be an episode of road rage among strangers. But it turns out to have been an exchange of gunfire between neighbors.

http://news.yahoo.com/las-vegas-shooting-not-road-rage-cautionary-vigilante-145548984.html
The revelations further underscore a point made by some experts: that pure road rage killings are exceedingly rare, especially in a country where drivers cover nearly 8 billion miles every day. That the Las Vegas shooting may turn out at least in part to be an act of citizen action gone tragically wrong adds another layer – that of cautionary tale about the dangers of mixing guns, high motions, and vigilantism.

The story comes in an era when, in some parts of America, growing numbers of people are deciding to solve problems outside the courts.

Amid high crime and police cutbacks, the rate of homicides ruled justifiable in Detroit is 2,200 percent higher than the US average, a result, in part, of growing vigilantism by groups that “consist of ordinary folk being victimized,” as the London Daily Mail noted in 2012.
A trend of increasing extra-judicial resolutions to conflicts is troubling. I'm concerned that it will result in a less safe environment.

As if 'stand your ground' isn't enough already.

Some additional background on the story
http://news.yahoo.com/road-rage-mistaken-identity-questions-raised-vegas-case-091610459.html
Police are looking for another suspect, possibly an acquaintance of Nowsch.
 
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Yeah this was very disturbing. Why try to confront the aggressive teen knowing he had a weapon and bringing your son along with a weapon too?
 
From what I've read, the story is confusing and the progression of events is unclear. There seems to be a missing person of interest who may have been involved.

But clearly, Mrs. Meyers should have called police and waited at home.
 
Yes it was said that she tried to help this troubled teen but couldn't reach him.
 
When I first heard this story, it was being reported as "an innocent mother shot as she came home from teaching her teenage daughter to drive". I thought that it was a terribly tragic story of murderous road rage.

A few days later it was reported that her son exchanged fire in the driveway. I thought that was an odd coincidence that he just happened to be in the driveway with a gun when the incident occurred.

Only after they captured Nowsch did more information start to come out that she wasn't as innocent as first reported. Now the reports are that she dropped off her daughter, picked up her son and his gun, and went looking for Nowsch. The police say that there were two shooting incidents - one of which occurred while they were driving around with a gun. There are also reports that the family knew who the shooter was for the entire week and didn't tell police.

I'll wait for the movie to come out and won't believe that either. ?:)
 
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