When the smoke clears, the person holding the gun can look like the perpetrator. It’s imperative to cooperate with the authorities and establish who initially attacked whom. Today we’re going to look at some critical post-shots you must do to protect yourself. Put your gun in your gun holster and keep reading.
- Establish an active dynamic. It is vital that you call 911 immediately, give your location and tell them that you’ve been attacked and that the perpetrator is down. Why? The justice system tends to see the man who got hurt or the one who made the initial complaint as the victim, and the person who inflicted that harm or the one complained about as the perpetrator.
- Make sure you tell officers that you’ll sign the complaint. The simple statement “I will sign the complaint” reinforces to responding officers that you are the victim/complainant and that the man who forced you to shoot him in self-defense was the criminal perpetrator.
- Be able to point out the evidence to the first responders. Remember, evidence is perishable! It can be stolen or inadvertently moved.
- Know where the witnesses are and be able to point them out if they exist. It’s no secret that ordinary people don’t want to get involved in acts of violence or in trials. They may drift from the scene before police can question them, and their testimony that you acted in legitimate self-defense will drift away with them.
- After speaking with legal counsel, offer your full cooperation to police and investigators. There are many reasons experts recommend against participating in a detailed interrogation in the immediate aftermath of a near-death experience, when you are most likely shaken.
