Off Duty Corrections Officer Stops Potential Knife Attack in Modesto, CA

[HoneyBadger]

An off-duty California Department of Corrections officer shot a knife-wielding man at Costco in northwest Modesto on Thursday afternoon.


The incident occurred at the Pelandale Avenue warehouse store just before 5 p.m.


According to Costco employee Seth Watson, the man was in the clothing area, jabbing a knife near people. He reportedly didn’t say anything and didn’t threaten anyone.


Watson said the man headed to the checkout stand area, where the officer confronted him. The officer told the man several times to drop the knife, but the man did not comply. They made their way outside, where the officer shot the man.


Modesto police Sgt. Chris Adams identified the person shot only as a 61-year-old man. He was listed in critical but stable condition, Adams said.


About 300 people were inside Costco at the time of the incident. Roughly 100 people were kept inside the store after the incident so police could interview them.


Watson said there was a vendor in the store selling knives at the time but it wasn’t clear if that’s where the man got the knife. He described the knife the man had as a kitchen knife, and held his hands about 10 inches apart to show the size of the blade.


He said the man with the knife appeared to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.


“I am just glad we had someone with a gun there,” Watson said. “I didn't even know it was an armed officer until it was all said and done but I'm glad he was there, I'm glad he was there. Without that we would have had to hit him with chairs or something.

“Nobody but the perpetrator was hurt, it couldn't have ended any better."


http://www.modbee.com/news/local/cri...e92496037.html

It's too bad Average Joe Civilians like myself cannot legally carry to defend myself and my family from lunatics like this. It seems that the only way to get that privilege around here is to become a member of the "privileged special class" of law enforcement and politicians...

[Rucker61]

Isn't Costco a gun free zone?

[HoneyBadger]

Isn't Costco a gun free zone?

Not if you're above the law. Although after this crazy terrorist attack, it should definitely be turned into a knife free zone! (Either way, I'm not sure. I've never seen any signage to indicate such... and i'm not sure if you're being facetious. )

[ray1970]

Isn't Costco a gun free zone?

Maybe that's why the bad guy chose a knife instead of a gun. You know, to be legal.

[GilpinGuy]

Yeah, it's a "gun free zone". Like HB wrote, unless you are above the law. I love how the State exempts themselves from the law.

[NFATrustGuy]

Isn't Costco a gun free zone?

Not when I'm there.

[hurley842002]

Yeah, it's a "gun free zone". Like HB wrote, unless you are above the law. I love how the State exempts themselves from the law.

Actually from what I've found, like CO, CA doesn't have signage laws (kind of pointless when CCW is virtually non existent), so no, he wasn't "above the law", above private property rights, sure...

ETA: Also probably violated his member agreement with Costco, but it sure benefited the store that day, will be interesting to see if they cancel his membership.

[HoneyBadger]

Actually from what I've found, like CO, CA doesn't have signage laws (kind of pointless when CCW is virtually non existent), so no, he wasn't "above the law", above private property rights, sure...

ETA: Also probably violated his member agreement with Costco, but it sure benefited the store that day, will be interesting to see if they cancel his membership.

My "above the law" comment was moreso directed at my 0.00% chance of getting a permit to carry while I live here because the Santa Barbara county sheriff is a statist pig.

Exhibit A: https://cdn.calgunsfoundation.org/wp...exhibits.A.pdf

Yes, you read that correctly: .01% of the population in my county has a CCW. Makes me feel sooooooo safe...

Not when I'm there.

[Rucker61]

Not when I'm there.

Yeah, me too, but here's the customer service online rules on CCW:

Are guns & personal firearms allowed in Costco Warehouses?


Costco Wholesale is a membership-only warehouse club. It is not open to the general public. It restricts membership to a limited group of qualified individuals who agree to membership conditions. We have the right, and the obligation to our members, to enact and enforce membership rules. The Member Service Employees at the exit doors are obliged to follow these rules. By obtaining a Costco membership card, our members agree to comply with the Membership Rules and the Privileges and Conditions of membership.
Costco does not believe that it is necessary for firearms to be brought into its warehouse stores, except in the case of authorized law enforcement officers. For the protection of all our members and employees, we feel this is a reasonable and prudent precaution to ensure a pleasant shopping experience and safe workplace. Our policy is meant to protect our members and employees in all warehouses around the world. This is not a new policy and we do not customize the policy for each individual city/county/state/country where we do business.
Our primary goal at Costco Wholesale is to keep our members happy. If you believe that our policy restricting members from bringing firearms into our warehouse stores is either unfair or excessively burdensome, or you cannot agree to abide by this policy, or you are dissatisfied for any other reason, Costco will promptly refund your annual membership fee in full.

[Irving]

My "above the law" comment was moreso directed at my 0.00% chance of getting a permit to carry while I live here because the Santa Barbara county sheriff is a statist pig.

Exhibit A: https://cdn.calgunsfoundation.org/wp...exhibits.A.pdf

Yes, you read that correctly: .01% of the population in my county has a CCW. Makes me feel sooooooo safe...

Just get a job with the government. Pretty simple work around really...