I Likely Just Prevented a Hate-Crime Against a Store Clerk....Though Not Heroically

[Socal31]

Let me start this with two things: I hate racists, and I also hate the wars that mentally damaged a generation of vets, and I hate how little help they either seek or get for mental conditions, particularly substance abuse and PTSD.



I started recording after the guy looked at me and said if I wasn't present, he would "smoke" or "take care of" of the clerk, I can't remember exactly which one, but I know what he meant. I am over 6ft tall and at least have the appearance that I would have been effective at intervening, so I took the man serious. His voice was calm because he was drunk, but his posture was aggressive.

The man walked out right after me and I stayed there with the scared-to-death clerk until police showed up, so it worked out. But should I have handled it any differently? I figured the moment I got involved, it would have a 0% chance of not ending up a physical altercation. This was about 2 hours ago.

First thing I catch him saying is "Do you have a family? Nobody is going to miss you"

Edit: Yes I stayed with the store clerk until police arrived, the guy was stalking the parking lot ready to come back

*Not safe for work, there is one F-bomb and some racial language*

[GWC58]

1. Hey, it did the job!

You’re a hero in my book! Getting a little sick of these assholes coming out of the woodwork. I, for one, will be “happier than a pig in shit” when this “TRUMPIAN” age is safely in our rear view mirror. 🤔

[Socal31]

2. Thanks for the reassurance!

Although the hate here appears to date back to a certain "dubya", but that is a distinction without a difference.

The last time I had anything similar was when someone kicked my door in and I held off just a split-second from using a weapon to defend myself even though I could have legally, and he turned around and ran out the door. I am thankful to this day he made that decision. I think erring on the side of not-escalating has worked for me twice now, so I will stick with it.

Ugly world sometimes :/

[MLAA]

3. Well done, so glad you were the right man in the right place at the right time to help the clerk.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

4. K&R. Good job, you interrupted the escalation.

Often, that's all it takes for a bully. I hope that store ups their security to insure that guy doesn't return.

Can you tell us how it was finally resolved?........

[Socal31]

6. It is regularly listed as the safest city of its size in the country......

So unfortunately security measures are pretty lax. I do not know how it was resolved yet, but every time I have had to deal with the PD in this city, they have been extremely competent and professional. I sent them a link to the video via twitter DM.....now that there is a documented hate-crime element involved, I have a feeling that if they run into this guy again, or if he goes near that clerk again, he will be taken off the streets.

And thank you as well for the kind words. I'm not a big white-guilty feeling guy, but my heart was breaking as this poor clerk making nothing to sell gas for Audis and BMWs, and bags of doritos, in an area where a 2BR apartment costs $2600/mo....just to be assaulted by an ignorant a-hole.

Afterwards he offered me anything I wanted in the store for free....I (jokingly) asked if they had a bottle of Don Julio 1942, he looked at me puzzled.

Screw that guy.

[TNNurse]

5. So thankful you were there.

I fear this 69 yo 5"2" white woman might not have been as effective. I ask myself what I would have done.

[cate94]

7. Whatever works.

Glad you waited for the police.

[Kind of Blue]

8. K&R! Bravo! I'm glad that you're both safe.

Not about useless white-guilt, as mentioned above, but doing what you can and staying safe as possible.
Thank you, well done.

[pnwmom]

9. You were as much of a hero as was required,

and I suspect you would have done whatever was required, if things had gone even worse.

The best decision you made was to stay with the man till the police arrived. You protected him and added your voice to his.

THANK YOU!!!

[Socal31]

10. I'm glad it ended that way as well. I prefer the non-hero post. Less dramatic, but much preferred.

That is one brave clerk to come from around the counter to try to throw him out. If today was that guy's day to finally snap, who knows where it could have gone. I like to think I know how it would have ended up, but it took me getting to my 30s to finally realize that I don't ever really know how anything will play out.

[Power 2 the People]

11. I'm glad you were there Socal31

[SWBTATTReg]

12. It is always nice to have someone watch your back. I applaud your actions...the inclination ...

of most rational people is to avoid confrontation since really don't need it, but sometimes people are just being plain dumb and stupid and their victims (the clerk in this case) are totally innocent and just doing their job.

I'll step in too, since I've seen it when I go to Home Depot and talking w/ the clerk, and almost always, someone will cut in the middle of our conversation and interrupt w/ their ?s. Rude!

I've had this happen and told the interrupter to wait their turn, I was there first. The clerk later told me that the store policy was that you be nice to everyone (makes sense) so sometimes its hard to walk that fine line.

In some cases its pretty hard to be nice to everyone (you grin and bear it). The clerk was so appreciative and pretty well gave me all of the help I needed and more, after I told the interrupter off, and wait their turn. He said that it happens all of the time (people interrupting). Perhaps a sign of society being more rude I guess.

Not surprised being that rump is the most rudest of all and pretty well given his followers the aok to be rude to others.

[cp]

13. Good for you!

Thank you.

[demigoddess]

14. sometimes I have kept myself safe by pretending to be stupid.

Whatever works! You Did Good!!!!and thanks, from the whole country.