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PapaBear
03-20-2007, 03:56 PM
A Real Loser
Man accused of trying to kill off-duty officer
From Times Staff and Wire Reports
March 20, 2007


A mugger who snatched an off-duty Hayward police officer's purse was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after trying to shoot her with her unloaded gun, police said.

Officer Michelle Winters was on her way to work but not in uniform Saturday morning when the man surprised her as she came out of a store. Richard Sessions, 38, of Hayward, a convicted robber just released from parole, allegedly shoved Winters into her car, grabbed her purse and ran, Lt. Gary Branson said.

Winters chased the 6-foot, 2-inch, 235-pound man, who pulled an unloaded gun from her purse, aimed at her and pulled the trigger several times, Branson said.

Sessions kicked and punched the officer and tried to shoot her again at close range before running off, police said.

Officers apprehended him about two blocks away and arrested him on suspicion of several felonies, including attempted murder.

Winters was treated and released at a nearby hospital for cuts to her head. Sessions was being held at Santa Rita jail.


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(03-19) 09:36 PDT Hayward, Calif. (AP) --


A mugger who snatched an off-duty Hayward police officer's purse was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after trying to shoot her with her unloaded gun, police said.


Officer Michelle Winters was on her way to work but not in uniform Saturday morning when a tall, brawny man surprised her as she came out of a store.


Richard Sessions, 38, of Hayward, a convicted robber just released from parole, allegedly shoved Winters into her car, grabbed her purse and ran, Lt. Gary Branson said


Winters chased the 6-foot-2-inch, 235-pound man, who pulled an unloaded gun from her purse, aimed at her and pulled the trigger several times, Branson said.


Sessions kicked and punched the officer and tried to shoot her again at close range before running off, police said.


Officers nabbed him about two blocks away from the scene of the alleged attack and arrested him on suspicion of several felonies, including attempted murder.


Winters was treated and released at a nearby hospital for cuts to her head. Sessions was being held at Santa Rita jail.


http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/qws/f...r&Submit=S&st=s (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/qws/ff/qr?term=off+duty+Hayward+police+officer&Submit=S&st=s)

gabriel
03-20-2007, 05:39 PM
amazing...ly stupid. I'm just glad it wasn't loaded, that would have been a tragedy.

bcjack
03-20-2007, 09:57 PM
Why was she carrying an UNLOADED gun in her purse?

ResQ
03-23-2007, 12:17 AM
why not...?! I have heard of some people carrying their semi autos without a round in the chamber so they have that "just in case" safety installed...knowing that if THEY have to activate the mechanism..they will know how, but a nasty might have to think twice...thus giving them the oppotunity to react?!?!?!??!

whhaddya think bc?

Motor City Cop
03-24-2007, 05:29 AM
why not...?! I have heard of some people carrying their semi autos without a round in the chamber so they have that "just in case" safety installed...knowing that if THEY have to activate the mechanism..they will know how, but a nasty might have to think twice...thus giving them the oppotunity to react?!?!?!??!

whhaddya think bc?
I kinda like the idea of not chambering a round in your off duty pistol. Racking a semi auto pistol is a gross motor skill when done properly so it doesn't pose a big safety risk for the off duty officer while giving the officer a split second more to make that critical shoot-don't shoot decision.

bcjack
03-24-2007, 03:07 PM
why not...?! I have heard of some people carrying their semi autos without a round in the chamber so they have that "just in case" safety installed...knowing that if THEY have to activate the mechanism..they will know how, but a nasty might have to think twice...thus giving them the oppotunity to react?!?!?!??!

whhaddya think bc?

Was the situation "A round not chambered" or "Unloaded"???

As a former L. E. firearms instructor, when I hear the term "Unloaded" I visualize no ammo in the gun. I don't assume it has no ammo until I personally check it, but "Unloaded" to me is no ammo in the gun, ie. ammo not in the cylinder and/or magazine not in the gun.:confused:

And No, I don't think it is a good idea to carry the chamber empty in a semi-auto. Most officer-involved shootings take place in around .75 to 1.2 seconds, and I guarantee that you can't draw the weapon, rack the slide and get a shot off in .75 to 1.2 seconds. If you are off duty, I still don't think you're going to be able to draw the weapon, rack the slide and fire the weapon before you are detected. That process just takes too long IMHO.

David
03-24-2007, 06:15 PM
All the officers I know (I know officers from several different agencies) have a loaded and chambered gun on them at pretty much all times when they're out and about while off duty.