An off-duty security guard outside a Houston, Texas gas station came upon a scene she did not expect.
A Houston police officer was following 17-year-old Davon Shavelle Miller, who was driving a car the officer suspected had been used in a recent aggravated robbery and shooting. The officer stopped Miller in a Valero gas station.
While Miller’s girlfriend wrapped a gun in a towel and threw it into the bushes to hide it, Miller tried to run from the scene, the Daily Caller reported.
The officer tackled Miller, who fought back. A bystander tried to help, while Miller tried to grab the officer’s handcuffs, and then, more frighteningly, his gun.
While this was happening, an off-duty security guard, still in uniform, pulled up at the pumps. She got out of her car and pulled out her phone. While the police officer struggled on the ground, she videoed the fight.
Call 911?
In some cases, a record of an encounter between law enforcement and a suspect might be useful.
But another person across from the security guard was also recording.
The officer shouted repeatedly to the security guard to stop filming and help him. The security guard repeatedly ignored his pleas.
Even if the off-duty security guard was afraid to physically assist the officer, she could have called 911.
Eventually, the police officer, with assistance from the passerby, managed to subdue Miller and cuff him.
Armed and Dangerous
Joe Gamaldi, president of the Houston Police Officers’ Union, discussed the incident with KPRC.
“This guy is absolutely a threat. He had a pistol in his car that his girlfriend actually wrapped in a towel and threw it in the bushes while our officer (was) fighting with him,” Gamaldi explained.
If Miller got the officer’s gun, the security guard may be the second target after the officer himself.
“You know, a so-called security guard, a complete joke. She should be ashamed of herself,” Gamaldi said to KRPC.
Update to the story that has been making the rounds the past 2 days. I contacted security company that employed the security guard. They handled the issue swiftly, she is no longer employed w/the company. In addition they expressed their love, support, admiration for HPD officers
— Joe Gamaldi (@JoeGamaldi) August 22, 2018
‘No Longer Employed’
HPOU President Joe Gamaldi posted on Twitter several times about the incident.
In one, he pointed out that the security guard had never called 911, and when she left the scene she did not submit the video she had taken to law enforcement.
Never called the police during the entire encounter and actually got in the way of responding officers because she was too busy recording to see what was going on. Also left the scene without turning recording over to police to help with the investigation. #FactsMatter
— Joe Gamaldi (@JoeGamaldi) August 23, 2018
While a security guard might be excused for not getting involved in a physical altercation if she lacked the training, what excuse could there be for not calling for help? And why video the incident, if not to have evidence to be used in court to convict the offender?
Finally, Gamaldi posted that he had contacted the guard’s employer. The company had decided that she was not setting the right example. She was asked to find other employment.
Bystander
This incident sparked heated debate over whether and when a security guard should get involved in a law enforcement situation. Some people asked: why should the security guard put herself at risk?
One question this affair raises is: for whom do the police work?
The answer is, for the general population. For the citizens. For everyone who doesn’t break the law.
And in a situation where a criminal is trying to steal a police officer’s gun—everybody is at risk.
That security guard’s life would have been in peril if she was a witness to Miller shooting the officer. Her greatest safety lay in helping the officer subdue the suspect.
And the safety of everyday else would also be increased if the criminal, who was already a suspect in one shooting, was not allowed to shoot anyone else.
Ultimately the officer prevailed. While the security guard videoed and the officer fought for his life, another person decided to help out, just because it was the right thing to do.
That bystander was able to realize that ultimately we are all in this together.
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