Attack in the Beltline Last Night - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

surferguy · 03-12-2010, 09:18 AM

Hey guys,

SO there was an attack in the beltline last night on a teenage girl by what seems to be a random dude. The details have not been released yet to my knowledge. It happened outside my building and the only reason we knew about it was because we heard screaming. When I opened my patio door I could see a guy pinnning a young girl down and punching her, when I started to shout "WTF" and "get off her" and he didn't seemed phased. It wasn't until I approached and yelled back to my buddies to call 911 that he bolted.

I never saw his face but another guy did who took off after him in a car so a decent description should come out to the public at some time.

Here is the thing, it was at 8:00 pm at the front door of our building, well lit and all 10 feet from my patio doors.

All I am saying is please be careful when you are out alone at anytime, especially the ladies. I've lived here for almost 4 years and this is by far the worst thing I have ever witnessed. I cannot bear to think of what would have happened if we weren't home to intervene in the situation.

Just an FYI.

COGENT · 03-12-2010, 09:21 AM

This stuff scares the crap out of me. Good on you for at least doing something.

Russic · 03-12-2010, 09:29 AM

If you weren't there that could have been much more horrible than it already was.

Regulator75 · 03-12-2010, 09:33 AM

Well done.

Coys1882 · 03-12-2010, 09:47 AM

A lot of people turn up the TV or shut the window these days - thank you for doing what I like to think I would do if I was ever in your situation.

bomber317 · 03-12-2010, 09:52 AM

Man, that's crazy.

Was the girl alright?

surferguy · 03-12-2010, 10:02 AM

Yah she ended up with a fat lip, probably more terrified of outside than anything. My g/f attended to her as I was trying to chase after the guy. I had no shoes on and he was already a half block down the road by the time everything was registering with me. I yelled "STOP THAT GUY" and a car that had slowed stopped and went into full reverse down the street after him. He was doing a good 65k backwards to catch up to him. He got a good look at him so I hope that a description gets out today.

Muta · 03-12-2010, 10:17 AM

That's crazy man, good on you for doing something about it.

I stuck my nose into a crime of similar impact that happened last year and now I'm attending a second trial this year for the accused. It's an aggravating and slightly frightening process, but I like to think that I helped bring some justice for the victims and do the right thing for society.

mykalberta · 03-12-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coys1882

A lot of people turn up the TV or shut the window these days - thank you for doing what I like to think I would do if I was ever in your situation.

Car Alarm - yes. Woman screaming, I would hazard a guess no, IMO of course.

FlamesGirl · 03-12-2010, 10:29 AM

That's so scary. Thank god you noticed and did something about it. As a single female that lives in a somewhat sketchy area - a big kudos to you for doing what you did! That's why I never really walk anywhere without my big, black dog for protection.

an_album_cover · 03-12-2010, 10:36 AM

Well done good sir...well done.

Ducay · 03-12-2010, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlamesGirl

That's so scary. Thank god you noticed and did something about it. As a single female that lives in a somewhat sketchy area - a big kudos to you for doing what you did! That's why I never really walk anywhere without my big, black dog for the illusion of protection.

fixed

surferguy · 03-12-2010, 11:06 AM

Thank you guys, but I still feel like crap after the whole thing. I can't seem to shake the idea that I could have done more to actually catch the guy and hold him till police arrived or something more to stop him from getting away. I don't know, I guess I am pretty shaken up over the incident, I had a terrible time trying to sleep last night.

mykalberta · 03-12-2010, 11:12 AM

Did the woman know her attacker? Seems very strange someone would attack a woman in the front of a lit building.

The detective in me says she knows her attacker - or the attacker is very very very dumb.

Good on you for trying to catch him though.

Ducay · 03-12-2010, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferguy

I can't seem to shake the idea that I could have done more to actually catch the guy and hold him till police arrived or something more to stop him from getting away.

Consider yourself lucky that you didn't do anything more. If you would have chased and caught him, the cops probably would have told you you're an idiot. Running the risk of getting stabbed/beaten/shot yourself is not worth catching some dude who would probably just get a slap on the wrists for a minor assualt.

Buff · 03-12-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Car Alarm - yes. Woman screaming, I would hazard a guess no, IMO of course.

People in distress get ignored all the time. Very unfortunate.

Buff · 03-12-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducay

Consider yourself lucky that you didn't do anything more. If you would have chased and caught him, the cops probably would have told you you're an idiot. Running the risk of getting stabbed/beaten/shot yourself is not worth catching some dude who would probably just get a slap on the wrists for a minor assualt.

You a cop?

Ducay · 03-12-2010, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buff

You a cop?

You have common sense?

COGENT · 03-12-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferguy

Thank you guys, but I still feel like crap after the whole thing. I can't seem to shake the idea that I could have done more to actually catch the guy and hold him till police arrived or something more to stop him from getting away. I don't know, I guess I am pretty shaken up over the incident, I had a terrible time trying to sleep last night.

Yeah, I can see where you're coming from. However, the truth of the matter is you did an amazing thing helping this girl and I am sure she is incredibly grateful to you. Let the guy that beats women loose sleep, you did an amazing thing and should be proud of that.

frinkprof · 03-12-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by surferguy

Thank you guys, but I still feel like crap after the whole thing. I can't seem to shake the idea that I could have done more to actually catch the guy and hold him till police arrived or something more to stop him from getting away. I don't know, I guess I am pretty shaken up over the incident, I had a terrible time trying to sleep last night.

By your account, you did the right thing and did what you could to ensure the attack was stopped and the person being assaulted was alright. That is by far the most important thing. You shouldn't feel bad for not catching the guy.

A few years ago I was mugged while walking home by a group of guys just after 1 AM. I found that the situation replayed in my head several times over following weeks, and I always thought of what I should have done differently or how I should have acted. The fact is that you nor I are trained to react to situations like a police officer would, especially if they are just sprung upon you when you aren't suspecting them.

Anyway, I'm not a psychologist, but based on my experience, don't be surprised if you have flashbacks about the incident and that you walk around with your guard up and on high alert over the next little while. It is natural to question how you reacted. Believe me though that you did the right thing and no one would have expected you to have done something more.

Also, nothing is wrong with talking with someone professional about it, and the police have victim's assistance programs that you can access.