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!

[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.