daughter kidnapped at gunpoint

[lisantampa]

This happened today at my home. Please read it. Something has to be done about guns and stalking and abuse.
Sorry its so long.

Today my daughter was kidnapped at gunpoint by her ex-boyfriend. He had been stalking her almost a year. She called the police several times. Her ex-boyfriend had used the system to keep abusing her even after the courts had issued the restraining order, he was in the diversion program, he had been calling me (her mom) for several days and stalking my home watching and waiting for her. He finally got her alone and unprotected. The only reason she is here is because an officer (her angel) drove past just after my daughter was forced into the car at gunpoint. My daguhter said she was crying and put her hand up to the window as the officer past her and mouthed the word "please."
the officer pulled in behind the car and as the officer walked up my daughters stalker hid the gun under the seat and told my daughter they were about to have a situation and not to make a sound and don't look at the officer. As the officer walked up to the driver's door my daughter jumped out of the passengers door and ran to another officer.
Thank God for that officer for stopping and looking and noticing there was a problem. But if the police had taken us seriously when I called on 04/15/07 and told them my daughter's ex was stalking my home and there was a restraining order and then when she called her ex's probation officer and told them that her ex was stalking her again none of this would have happened.
something needs to be done. The young man, Brian Gist who is in the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office, Tampa Florida, booking # 07025182. I honestly believe after what has happened at Virginia Tech and over the past month or so with domestic violence and women being kidnapped something more needs to be done about abusers.
I would think making abusers wear the gps anklets and being put into a database just like pedophiles would be a good starting point. How many people have to die or have their lives shattered by abusers and stalkers because the police are over-worked and the young man who kidnapped my daughter knew the chances of him getting caught or having something worse than a slap on the wrist and a piece of paper keeping him out of jail were slim to none. THANK GOD FOR THAT OFFICER TODAY!

Now the little son of a bitch may get out on bail!!!! So my daughter is being told.

[gabriel]

Wow, I wouldn't even begin to fathom what you and your daughter have been going through. I hope that this traumatic experience doesn't damage her view of men in general and that she is able to learn from this and perhaps help other people who are going through or have gone through similar experiences. And kudos to that officer for keeping an eye out, he could have possibly been out there because the Department heard your concern and stepped up patrol around your house... possibly, I'm sure he must feel very happy that he was able to help. Best of luck with everything and I hope the perp feels the wrath of justice soon.

God Bless and Good Luck

[SB 405]

He tells his victim not to look at the Officer? Why not just hold up a sign that says "I'm up to no good" I would think an Officer would pick up someone not looking at them as trouble in a heartbeat.

[CTC III-05]

I recovered a 15 year old female who had been kidnapped by a 25 year old male. It was an 11-26 at night. I walked up to the passenger side window and looked through the glass at a young woman with two black eyes and dried blood all over her face. She mouthed the words "Help Me". I just about crapped my pants at that point. The guy ended up getting charged with kidnapping with the intent to assault or kill. It carries a life sentence if it goes through. It's amazing how one 11-26 can outweigh hundreds of TC's and the political stuff that goes on at the office. It was a good reminder of why I decided to join the Department.

[lisantampa]

Thank you for sharing what happened to the 15 yr old girl. It is something that you can never plan for. I am trying to get the officer's who saved my daughter's life commendations. As they put their lives on the line as this young man had already told my daughter to take him to her new boyfriend. I only hope the ex-boyfriend can get the help he truly needs now.

Now though I will be working to try and get more done for domestic violence victims. To know that most victims die while the abuser is on probation or under an injunction. This is also the time when most officer's die, contrary to some popular police shows, an officer is more likely to die at a domestic violence call than any other calls combined! I got the chance to do an instructional video for a domestic violence program in Florida. What I learned chilled me to the bone. I have nothing but love and respect for all officers, more so after yesterday.

[x MAIT]

Make sure that you harass the District Attorney and force them to charge him with kidnapping and see if you can go to court and make sure he does not get out on bail. Be proactive.

You also might want to consider buying a firearm and getting shooting lessons for the both of you. Don't wait around hoping that someone else will protect you or your daughter. She was lucky this time.

[AyatollahGondola]

Something has to be done about guns and stalking and abuse.
I'm a little unclear on one thing. Are you saying something needs to be done about guns in general or just as it relates to this type of crime?

[Chippysgt]

I'm a little unclear on one thing. Are you saying something needs to be done about guns in general or just as it relates to this type of crime?

What is unclear?
If a gun gets into the hands of a stalker, spousal abuser, or kidnapper or anyone else who has the intent to do violence against another person, than there is a problem and something needs to be done about it.
Take a look at the VT incident and how easy it was for that psychopath to get two guns and all the ammo he needed to kill 33 people.

I waited two weeks the last time I bought a handgun in California because I am no longer an active peace officer and I have no complaint about that at all.
My background had to be able to stand up to a Dept of Homeland Security secret level investigation for me to be able to work for FEMA at disasters but in Virginia a psychopath was able to buy two handguns without any background check.

[AyatollahGondola]

What is unclear?
If a gun gets into the hands of a stalker, spousal abuser, or kidnapper or anyone else who has the intent to do violence against another person, than there is a problem and something needs to be done about it.
Take a look at the VT incident and how easy it was for that psychopath to get two guns and all the ammo he needed to kill 33 people.

I waited two weeks the last time I bought a handgun in California because I am no longer an active peace officer and I have no complaint about that at all.
My background had to be able to stand up to a Dept of Homeland Security secret level investigation for me to be able to work for FEMA at disasters but in Virginia a psychopath was able to buy two handguns without any background check.

It was unclear to me because there are several items floating around cyberspace about gun control of late, and seizing upon the recent shootings to bolster the case. I saw all of that lumped together and wasn't sure if this was relative to that.
Of course stalkers and the like should not have an easy time obtaining guns. But then again, Jim Jones killed more people with an easily obtained chemical. The point being, A twisted mind will resort to whatever is handy, or gets the best result. I think if we dumped every gun into an active volcano, after a short respite we'd just see more people run down in crowded flea markets or torched inside dormitories while they slept.
Bottom line is that we can address the criminals and mental cases or we can address the tools they use. I see the latter as a glancing blow.

[lisantampa]

I'm a little unclear on one thing. Are you saying something needs to be done about guns in general or just as it relates to this type of crime?
http://www.chpforums.com/forum/images/statusicon/user_offline.gif http://www.chpforums.com/forum/images/buttons/report.gif (http://www.chpforums.com/forum/report.php?p=29527)

My apologies for not clairfying. I believe that anyone, not just stalkers or abusers, any person who uses violence and is let out on bond or is in a diversion type program should wear a gps type device.
My daughter was stalked and terrorized for over a year by this man. He used the system to keep abusing her even after she got a domestic violence injunction against him. If someone has proven that they will use whatever means necessary to hurt another person then do whatever we have to to keep them safe. And a piece of paper isn't working.

A gps system would allow officers to track the abuser (perp) and be able to call if the system warns they are near the victims home or area, etc...
Also a victim wouldn't be required to constantly look over their shoulder saying is this the day I die? NO one should have to live that way!

With today's technology it is within the realm of possibilty to track these people and I believe it's time we did. Save taxpayers money, officers time trying to find someone and also it cuts out the he siad/she said when a victim says the stalker is there but the stalker leaves before officer gets there.

[AyatollahGondola]

Also a victim wouldn't be required to constantly look over their shoulder wondering is this the day I die? NO one should have to live that way!

Everyone has to live that way. Death being a part of life and all, it can come with or without warning. I do understand your frustration. though. I recently had two experiences with similar situations. The prosecutors just do not consider prosecuting them as high priority. I doubt they would cough up money for any system you are proposing either.
Thy just don't care about us that much.

[dw]

With today's technology it is within the realm of possibilty to track these people and I believe it's time we did.You are absolutely correct. Using technology, we have the ability to track offenders as well as reduce virtually every segment of crime. We could easily locate marijuana grow operations but are not always allowed to use technology. We can send a man to the moon, but are not allowed to develop a system that would simply disable any given vehicle in the event of criminal activity. The issue is not with technology but politics. Several groups out there with strong political clout believe the government has no place in protecting you from crime. Until we come to our senses as a society, nothing is going to change.

[lisantampa]

Until we come to our senses as a society, nothing is going to change.

I was once told by a lawyer you can't change the law. It's the law. However I was told my business law professor it only takes one person, to change the law.... who to believe?

You are sooo right it is time to come to our senses. I believe this is a system that the person who broke the law should pay for. they made the choice let them pay. As for changing laws... your right nothing changes until the people stand up and say my life, my children's futures will not be decided by an idiot with a gun/knife/whatever. *handing back soapbox*

In Tampa alone in the last 2 months there have been 4-5 kidnappings, 3 of which the victim died. That's 3 too many. In each case the kidnapper had a restraining order. I'm sorry I am going to fight tooth and nail to get this a law to my dying day! :!:

Ok I'm done venting...lol.... sorry went off on that tangent. It's amazing how 2 minutes can change your whole perspective in life and give you a direction you never saw coming.