Almost ended up in a gang turf war today.

[th3w01f]

Went to Santiago’s (best Mexican food in Denver) on Broadway this morning and when I walk in there’s this guy dressed like a gangster with a backwards hat and a bandanna covering everything but his eyes. At first I thought I had just walked into a robbery so I slowly backed out and watched. Everything seemed fine (just the way he chose to wait for his burrito). Next thing I know two other guys grab him and they’re in front of Santiago’s… a lot of gang signs and words like “you’re on the wrong fucking side of town”. I quickly head for my car where I left my G26 and my wife and we call 911 (not the first so at least several people were doing the right thing). We try to back out but by this time the skirmish has moved to about 5 feet behind our truck and other than running all 3 of them over waiting seemed like our best option. It never got beyond some pushing and a lot of harsh words but I’m completely serious when I say that they’re all lucky they didn’t decide our truck was going to be their way out.

I spoke with the cops who showed up and they were very cool. Apparently from there south is controlled by the Serenos and the guy with the bandanna across his face was from some north side gang. They said he comes down there and causes trouble all the time. He must not have had any warrants or a weapon since the cops let him walk (the Serenos jumped in a car and got the hell out of there before the cops showed up so I’m guessing they weren’t as clean).

I like what the cop told me, I’m paraphrasing but this is pretty close. “I don’t care if these fuckers want to beat, shoot and stab each other as long as the leave the rest of the citizens out of it”.

Just curious what others reaction would have been? I've thought about several sceniaros... what if one of them pulled a knife... what if the two started to beat down the one guy.... what if a gun or guns came out..... etc. Again we didn't have a good escape route other than running them over (not that I would have been against that).

[blacklabel]

I've always been aware of where I sit when going into a restaurant but have never thought about a potentially blocked parking spot. That'll be added to my list of things to think of when I'm out and about. As for if the situation had escalated, I would have let them gun each other down if my family was secure.

[KevDen2005]

Okay, I know you paraphrased, but I want to make sure that the cop used the word "Citizen" and not "Civilian." Is that correct? If not we should start an internet uproar![Coffee]

[th3w01f]

I've always been aware of where I sit when going into a restaurant but have never thought about a potentially blocked parking spot. That'll be added to my list of things to think of when I'm out and about. As for if the situation had escalated, I would have let them gun each other down if my family was secure.

It's takeout only there so the front bumper was about 1' from a wall and the back bumper about 5' from 3 assholes. The kids weren't with us so at least I didn't have that to worry about them.

[cstone]

“I don’t care if these fuckers want to beat, shoot and stab each other as long as the leave the rest of the citizens out of it”.

This quote pretty much sums up the entire homicide squad and 90% of all LE in the city during the Crack War in DC, mid 1990's. Politicians were paying lip service to the drastic increase in homicides and how embarrassing it was for the country, but tourists were never in any danger, and just about all of the murders were predictable retaliations between rival crews. It sucked if you couldn't find a way out of those neighborhoods, but crime has always been tougher on the poor.

I'm glad you and your wife are safe. You can never predict the time and place.

Be safe.

[th3w01f]

Can't be sure on that, I remember "fuckers" "beat, shoot and kill each other" and that's about it. It was pretty positive though, seemed like a nice guy. :)

[th3w01f]

As for the cop. given the boots I'm guessing he's usually motorcycle and has probably been on the force for a while. Probably mid 40's. With age comes wisdom..... hopefully.

[anomad]

I would have stayed in the truck until guns came out. Then I would have run them over if I felt like leaving would have made me safer.

Sounds like you were calm cool and collected. Well done.

[Great-Kazoo]

Ok with how you handled it EXCEPT for this. WHY was your CCW in the Car?

never Mind i see the G26 was with the wife. It looked like a 26 & 1911 NOT 911!!!!!!

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Dammit, I was going to go there today for lunch but changed my mind. All the time I've been there never had any problems with any one. I always miss the cool schiznet!! Great food and people there! Glad everyone is OK.

[spittoon]

dam I would change the restaurant i like the tamale kitchen south Wadsworth

[th3w01f]

Ok with how you handled it EXCEPT for this. WHY was your CCW in the Car?

never Mind i see the G26 was with the wife. It looked like a 26 & 1911 NOT 911!!!!!!

^^^^This^^^, this is exactly what I thought when I walked into what really seemed like a holdup. I was like "fuck" now what... at least I can back out unlike the 30 other people here. That's why I waited for a bit to see what was going to happen and everyone seemed perfectly happy.... until the other gangsters showed up.

[Delfuego]

Sounds like a whole lotta nothing to me. Guess I will have to just keep eating there. Real dangerous gang turf by my house [Roll1] DSB and I were lucky to get our burritos and get out with our life!

[Monky]

Yawn.. it's cute when people travel to the 'hood.

I didn't get a burrito invite Delfuego.. I'm a little hurt. You could have walked the 5 blocks and just left it on the porch.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Sounds like a whole lotta nothing to me. Guess I will have to just keep eating there. Real dangerous gang turf by my house [Roll1] DSB and I were lucky to get our burritos and get out with our life!
[LOL]I still owe ya a lunch for that.

[Monky]

[LOL]I still owe ya a lunch for that.

Dave owes lots of people.. I'm still waiting on elk burgers.

[KevDen2005]

That's okay, i was just being facetious. Anyway, you should be carrying, man. What gives?!

And I certainly don't mind if criminals kill each other, just not the regular civilians...sorry, I meant citizens.

​

[DSB OUTDOORS]

Yawn.. it's cute when people travel to the 'hood.

I didn't get a burrito invite Delfuego.. I'm a little hurt. You could have walked the 5 blocks and just left it on the porch.
Ahhh I'll buy ya lunch too Monky! Let me know!!

[th3w01f]

Yup, that's how it ended (good for me) but that's also how a lot of really shitty situations start. You just never know at the beginning and it's pretty easy to get stuck even when things seem pretty relaxed. I'm sure there were a few people thinking "that asshole just blocked the exit door open". Not comparing the situations other than something small can lead to something much bigger.

[th3w01f]

Yawn.. it's cute when people travel to the 'hood.

What do you mean by cute, that's my fricken kitchen... at least it feels like it as often as I get breakfast there, hell sometimes I don't even put on pants. ;)

[Monky]

What do you mean by cute, that's my fricken kitchen... at least it feels like it as often as I get breakfast there, hell sometimes I don't even put on pants. ;)

Just stay down in HR w/ the rest of em.. but if you insist on grabbing burritos.. I accept all donations.

[th3w01f]

On a completley different note, my wife just pointed out that I may have a Santiago's problem. She estimates we've gone there at least 300 times this year. Never more than 4 times a day though.

[th3w01f]

Just stay down in HR w/ the rest of em.. but if you insist on grabbing burritos.. I accept all donations.

Ok, now I'm slightly offended...... judged by the side of the highway I live on..... I guess this is what my Great Grandfather warned me about.

[Monky]

Ok, now I'm slightly offended...... judged by the side of the highway I live on..... I guess this is what my Great Grandfather warned me about.

You are your zip code!

[Delfuego]

wife just pointed out that I may have a Santiago's problem.[Gas1]

[th3w01f]

You are your zip code!

"You are not your job. You're not how much money you have in the bank. You're not the car you drive. You're not the contents of your wallet. You're not your fucking khakis. You're the all-singing, all-dancing crap of the world."

And I spent most of my life in 80602.

[Squeeze]

I would have stayed in the truck until guns came out. Then I would have run them over if I felt like leaving would have made me safer.

Sounds like you were calm cool and collected. Well done.

This. Observe, report, stay safe and act when it's appropriate and necessary. I've educated my wife to know that if SHTF and she's with me and I am forced to break out the blaster and get to work, she's to distance herself from me...far & fast. Call 9-1-1 and get the cavalry started my way. If I'm hit and down, do NOT go to my body. I may be playing dead and that is all that is keeping me alive - for the time being. In the unfortunate situation you were in, the vehicle would've been the best option from what I can tell. Deadly force is deadly force, it's either justified or it isn't. How you got there isn't always important. I like the responding officer's mentality - F'em, let them kill each other, just don't let innocents get in between. Scary world we live in. Like one other use posted, we cannot choose the place when or where the wolves choose to feed, only prepare to contest the dinner option. What really sucks is that Santiago's has damn good food, but generally not located in the best parts of town. Sad you have to go into a potential combat zone for good Mexican food. Next time you decide to go, give some of us a call...we'll cover ya while you make the order. [Beer]

[ChunkyMonkey]

That particular Santiago are both cops and gangbangers hangout. Do you guys remember when some crazy guy ran into their south wall? They had to close for a week. All of these commotion for the best half and half green chilli .... nom nom nom nom.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

That particular Santiago are both cops and gangbangers hangout. Do you guys remember, when the crazy guy ran into their south wall? They had to close for a week. All of these commotion for the best half and half green chilli .... nom nom nom nom.
[LOL]Ya I remember the wall. They said it was a younger girl that thought the car was in reverse but it was in drive?? I still have yet to see a cop or any bangers there. Breakfast and lunch is when I'm usually there. And I have the belly to prove it!! [Flower]

[ChunkyMonkey]

Young girl my butt.. It was some crazy hispanic guy in a cowboy hat who came out from the alley through one of the car wash and under steered his caddy into the wall. Some guys were running after him from the thrift shop direction. I remember damn well.. because they made me spilled my burrito.

[DSB OUTDOORS]

[ROFL2] I bet they told me my story so as not to steer people away. Like Me. [Coffee]

Sorry you spilled your 1/2 and 1/2! Does make me [Cry]good stuff there!

[Delfuego]

Your realize after I read this thread I went to good ol' Santi's for dinner dont you. No cops, bangers, zombies or mad max types though.

I may need an extra clip of TP tomorrow...

[spqrzilla]

I remember damn well.. because they made me spilled my burrito.I'd have shot them for that.

[sniper7]

Glad it all worked out. If guns come out take them all out. Obviously the cops know the deal

[Colorado Luckydog]

Your Glock was worthless in the car. Thanks for the reminder to always carry.

[alxone]

i have seen plenty of gang fights and shoot outs down in 5 point in the 80's / 90's . i have always found a weapon to be a handy item, but 99 out of 100 times you will not need it . the gangsters are after each other not you . even when i was a teenager