Witness: Why I didn't interfere with the liquor store beating

[FrodosPet]

http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/25009728/witness-why-i-didnt-interfere-with-the-liquor-store-beating

DETROIT (WJBK) -
A witness to the deadly beating inside a Detroit liquor store spoke up about why he didn't interfere. Surveillance footage captured the attack while several onlookers appeared to stand by.

Edwin Johnson says he has been friends with the victim, Carl Bell, for decades. He says he was inside the liquor store at the time of the incident and says he didn't step in because he was "not as strong" as the attackers. Johnson adds that he is 52 years old.

But Johnson also says he wasn't alone, and no one else inside the liquor store intervened either

~ snip ~

This is a sad case. You want to believe people would step in to help. But as the one gentleman pointed out - he probably just would have been another victim.

All throughout this world, human life is considered too cheap.

[pipi_k]

1. Is it really that

human life is considered too cheap?

Or were there other reasons?

Like the fact that there were two attackers (and a third person) involved.

No word on how many other people were in the store at the time

the guy on the video is 52. Against a 36 year old or a 15 year old he probably wouldn't have fared very well. Against both, forget it.

He may have health problems that would prevent strenuous activity...like getting into a brawl.

And it's Detroit. Whole different culture than what many of us here live in on a daily basis. Like the guy at the end said, he wasn't surprised, because that's just how it is around there.


I have to admit that I have a somewhat cynical view of the world, but I really don't believe that human life is considered cheap everywhere...

[lame54]

2. Start throwing shit off the shelves at these guys...

maybe others would join in

[Logical]

4. I can see being afraid of getting shot. But a friend seem worth it. nt

[FrodosPet]

5. We know what we THINK we would do

But a situation like that, happening so quickly, it would be hard not to be frozen in confusion.

I have to reserve any harsh judgement for the poor bystanders, and hope that positivity and prosperity can somehow find its way back to the City of Detroit.

Making sure the pensioners get paid, so they can survive and upgrade their homes and shop in "The City" is only the first step.

[Logical]

6. I agree, easy to say what you would do. nt

[awoke_in_2003]

10. "We know what we THINK we would do"

Exactly. Unless you have been in a similar situation before, you do not know what you will really do.

[mulsh]

7. People who step in to these situations often end up dead or severely injured, don't be too quick to

pass judgement. It is one thing to read second hand accounts I assure you it is very different experience when it happens right next to where you're standing.

I've found myself in similar situations and as I've grown older I've grown way less likely to do more than call the cops and try to get as far away as I can. I've got one knee that is shredded from a beating I took when I was more active and tried to stop an assault. there's nothing like personal experiences to change one's mind.

[riqster]

8. I have intervened in the past. Damn near got killed doing it.

Just jumping in with fists flying has consequences. I chose to do so, but understand why someone wouldn't.

[Le Taz Hot]

9. As old and out of shape as I am

I couldn't live with myself knowing that I didn't try to do something. Anyone who witnessed this and didn't try to intervene is a coward. And no, that's NOT bravado. Twice I've intervened IRL situations. Once when a liquor store clerk was being threatened at knifepoint and once when my neighbor was beating the shit out of his girlfriend. If I die in the process of trying to protect someone else then I'm going down fighting. Fuck it.