Wednesday, August 17, 2016

AZ: Woman Openly Carrying Glock Threatened by Armed Felon; She Kills Him


A woman openly carrying a Glock was threatened by an armed felon in the early morning hours of 1 August, 2016.  She was leaving the gas station with a drink in her hand and the Glock on her hip.  Her daughter would be turning three in about a week. From abc15.com:

Miracle said she was leaving the Circle K near 59th Avenue and Camelback Road with her family early Monday morning when the suspect, Frank Taylor , tried to bum a cigarette. She told him that she didn’t have one, and then seconds later, Miracle said, she could feel the barrel of the gun against her skin.

“He put the gun up to my neck and said, ‘It’s loaded, don’t move,’” Miracle said. ”I think he thought, ‘She’s a little girl. Maybe she doesn’t know how to use her weapon.’”

Miracle said, “I dropped my soda, released my gun from my holster and cocked it. I shot him and ran in the opposite direction."



Link to video of interview with Carolann Miracle

Carolann's father was a Marine.  He taught her well.  The pistol appears to be a Glock model 17 or 22, with night sights.


There are several things to note about this encounter.  Many elements of the story are items often found in armed robberies/muggings.

First is the approach.  It is common for robbers/muggers to use a pretext to close the distance and distract the victim.  Asking for a cigarret is a common pretext.  So is asking for the time.

Second is picking what appeared to be weak prey. Carolann is a small woman, 4'11, 85 pounds.  It is common  for human predators to pick on weaker prey. Maybe he did not see the Glock on her hip.  It was dark.  She was holding a drink from the gas station, probably in her right hand.  If she was wearing a dark top, as she was in the video, the Glock would not have presented much contrast.  While open carriers tend to be very aware of their defensive firearm, many people never notice it.

Carolann did many things right.  The first was to instantly recognize the threat.  Many become mired in the thought that "this cannot be happening"; "this is not real".  People who carry are much less likely to do that because they have considered the possibility of attack and prepared for it.

She did the right thing when she dropped her drink.  Dropping things to access your weapon or to fight better is not an instinctive reaction.  Many people instinctively hang on to useless things that impede their ability to fight.  I taught my students to practice dropping things at the beginning of a fight so that they could draw their firearm, and fight more effectively.

She did the right thing when she fled the area in the opposite direction from the way the attacker was going.  Many attacks, perhaps 50%, involve an accomplice.  She purposefully made the decision, moved to safety, then called the police.

Carolann's response is common.  She did not want to kill her attacker. It was a consequence of what he forced her to do.  She would have preferred that it never happened.

There were witnesses and surveillance video, both of which backed up her story.

Carolann says she "cocked it".  I suspect she was carrying Israeli style, in condition 3, with an empty chamber.  If you practice pulling and releasing the slide as you draw, it can be fairly fast.

What did not happen.

Carolann was openly carrying.  She was accosted by a violent, armed felon.  He did not simply "shoot her first" as many who oppose open carry claim will happen.  Even though he "had the drop" on her, she won the gun fight. 

Action beats reaction.  Dropping the drink likely gave her another second, as the felon probably thought  "dropping drink" not "drawing gun".

It is a known gunfighter tactic that Louis L'Amore wrote about in one of his novels.  In that case, the fictional character let a match burn down to his fingers from lighting a cigarette, thus conditioning his opponents to expect him to flick his hand away from the burn.  Expecting that, they were surprised by the draw.

Maybe Carolann did not consciously make that decision; but the effect was similar.

Carolann Miracle; small woman, Marine's daughter, open carrier, mother, now, undesired, gunfighter.  She survived and lived to see her daughter's third birthday.

©2016 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice and link are included.
Gun Watch

Clarification:  Frank Taylor pleaded guilty to Trafficking in Stolen Property in February of 2015.


Trafficking in stolen property is a felony in Arizona.

96 comments:

Wireless.Phil said...

I didn't find in the article that the dead man was a felon?

Anonymous said...

I hope my daughter would do the same thing. Can you imagine this guys surprise when this little bitty woman had the sand to blow him away? Will the cops find out how he got the gun? If it was stolen will the owner get it back. A gun was stolen from me in Tucson Arizona I make the proper report and never heard about it ever again. the gun was from my FFL inventory. I saw a gun exactly like it in the Yuma police station gun case of guns recovered in crimes. The police came to my home looking for a gun, they did not have a description of the gun they were looking for so they just took the one they wanted out of my gun case. the court ordered it returned. It was in perfect working order when they took it. It took a month to get it back after the court ordered it to be returned. When I got it back the officers name that took it was scratched in to the bluing on the receiver and the gas piston was broken in half so that it would only fire single shot. Fear of the police is no reason to not defend yourself. I hope it never comes to my having to defend myself from the police because I do not miss. warning shots are a terrible waste of ammo. After the numerous run ins I have had with cops that were in the wrong. I legally notified them not to come on to my property. I believe in letting the other guy make the first mistake. criminal assault comes in many forms. I have experienced it many times by law enforcement. violating the law under color of law is a crime that never gets any action. cops think they can do anything they please and they can to every one except me. I have had my fill off crooked cops. It has cost me thousands of dollars when I did nothing wrong. Not only was a gun taken from me but my entire home was searched without a warrant. the gun case was 10 feet from my from my front door. they wrecked my house during their illegal search. I have been falsely arrested several times by pin head useless and very dangerous cops. they nearly shit their pants when they found out I had an FFL and they still damaged my gun. I am about as law abiding a citizen as anyone can get. I do not need or want the protection of cops. I have studied law enough to know what is legal and what is not. I represent my self because most attorneys are just as worthless as cops. I can tell you most of the police agencies I have had to deal with are so corrupt it would blow your mind to know the truth and I have it well documented. I have no respect for the badge because of most of those wearing one. Even if a cop is fired for misconduct all he has to do, if he is not convicted of anything, is go to the next agency and get hired. If they resign their black deeds under color of law are instantly turned white. The blue wall exists. I know how it works. ONE COP RATS OUT ANOTHER. His wife and family members will never be able to afford car insurance. they will get enough citations for looking through the windshield from either side that the insurance will go out of sight Or maybe illegal parking in their own drive way. or speeding when the car will not mechanically start. When that is not enough the stalking and threats start. I noticed your children walk home from school, that can be dangerous. There have been a lot of break ins in this area but due to budget cuts we can not keep anyone in this area. then you find out the budget was increased by 500k. My ex business partner, a cop, left the force due to a conviction for spousal abuse. According to FBI statistics Posted on the FBI web page. Cops are the highest category of spousal abusers. Now tell me most of them are not cowards and bullies with a badge.

Notalima said...

Send to Shannon Watts and ask about 'self-defense with a gun doesn't happen' and your already-included 'he'll just take it away'.

Anonymous said...

Armed robbery is a felony.....

Anonymous said...

I have only had a few self defense uses. Vietnam for a year and shortly after returning I had an opportunity to drive off a gang without firing a shot. factually it is best to be standing up if you try to take a gun from someone. it is very difficult to get the gun if you are laying down bleeding out. If they say give me your gun I give them the ammo first.

Unknown said...

Did She Have A CHL, And Was Her Handgun In A Holeter.

Unknown said...

She Should have not left the Scene of the shooting, and did she have a CHL, Her Handgun Should be in and Holster not In her Waistband.

Anonymous said...

If she lived in New Jersey like me she would most likely be dead.

Jerry The Geek said...

I am so impressed with the courage of this young woman, who made the choice to provide for her own safety, and didn't hesitate to do the necessary thing when her life was threatened.

Surely, somewhere, some liberal is reading this article and saying: "Couldn't she just shoot to wound?"

Col. Jeff Cooper is looking down from heaven and chalking one more mark on the "Goblin Count".

Unknown said...

Condition 3 blows, she was lucky.

NOLONGERSAFE said...

Law abiding citizens are the crooked COP's prime target, Reason #1 : Law abiding citizens work for a living and have money and things of value to take.
Reason #2 : Law abiding citizens have been taught to respect Law Enforcement and in most if not all cases do not resist and allow them to perform illegal searches etc...
Reason 3# LEO's act with impunity, it cost them nothing but some paperwork to bring charges against an individual, but for a citizen to charge an officer costs thousands of dollars, not to mention that citizen will have to move their family to a safer geographical location, safety from those whom are sworn to serve and protect.


Unknown said...

Why was she carrying without a round in the chamber?

Anonymous said...

She stated in the article she pulled the gun from her holster.

Arizona does not require a permit to open carry.

http://www.opencarry.org/maps/map-open-carry-of-a-properly-holstered-loaded-handgun/

Eric Kunz said...

No license needed in Arizona, where open carry is legal, and the article states the gun was in the holster, not that it matters.

Eric Kunz said...

No license needed for open carry in Arizona, and no legal requirement for a holster.

Tam said...

Fortuitous outcomes reinforce poor tactics.

Unknown said...

I'm glad the final result was a success but she did get lucky. Had the felon pulled his trigger, she would not have been able to draw her weapon.

Anonymous said...

He became a felon the minute he put the gun to her neck if he wasn't already.

Unknown said...

why wasn't it chambered already? “I dropped my soda, released my gun from my holster and cocked it. I shot him and ran in the opposite direction."

Albiemanmike said...

Like Jay and Lee I wonder why was she not carrying with one in the pipe??? So very lucky that she won this battle carrying without one in the pipe. Always carry with one in the pipe. If you are worried than you should not be carrying and have not trained enough to be carrying.

msglaigaie said...

Good on you young lady. I, too, openly carry a handgun at all times. 0% of the people I come in contact with do not notice my well holstered pistol. YOU are your own first responder. Is your own life or the life of your loved ones enough for you to step up and assume that responsibility?

Jeremy Cole said...

So someone tries to rob her at gunpoint putting her life in danger as well as those around her, and your concern is a piece of paper and a holster. Wow way to go you bleeding liberal.

Anonymous said...

In AZ, it is legal to carry concealed (if you're not a prohibited person) without a license, though concealed carry licenses are available.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_laws_in_Arizona#Concealed_carry

Anonymous said...

Shouda, coulda, woulda... Arizona as mentioned above is constitutional carry... She was legal regardless and thankfully. What's done is done taxpayers won't have to pay for a trial. GOOD ON YA SISTA! ALIVE TO SEE YOUR BABY GROW UP! GOD BLESS!

Anonymous said...

Great shooting! What the hell was this guy thinking? Did he make the mistake of thinking just because she was a woman she would not shoot him? Was he drinking? Was he on drugs? Oh well, it doesn't matter. Too bad this guy tried something stupid! It cost him his life!

Anonymous said...

Just curious. DID YOU EVEN READ THE ARTICLE?

Unknown said...

Her carrying without a round in the chamber is her only mistake that I see. She was fortunate she had time time to rack the slide before firing. I too carry a Glock but always have a round in the chamber!

Unknown said...

It never said she left the scene. I did say she fled away from the perp. Arizona is an open carry state where no CHL,CCP or CCW permit is needed to openly carry. It did say she pulled it from a holster. Apparently some ones reading comprehension is not very good.

Unknown said...

the comments above mine are retarded....did you even read the article before you opened that stupid hole in your face?

Unknown said...

Go home, you're drunk on conspiracy theories...

Tom said...

Open or concealed carry are both legal in AZ without a permit.

Unknown said...

AMEN

Brokenarrow said...

All these twits asking if she had a holster for the gun. Seriously.. NO one that I have ever seen carrying a gun did not have a holster. Really. If you had two brain cells that could work at the same time you could A: tell she has on in the photo, B: know that a gun would not sit secure at all in a elastic waistband and C: If it is an open carry state she doesn't need a concealed carry to open carry.Arizona is such a state so any concealed carry license is not even relevant. Research should be your friend because it stop you from asking stupid questions when the answer is just a few clicks away. The only thing I am sad about is that the guy isn't dead.

Unknown said...

She is lucky. To carry with an empty chamber is very foolish. She was carrying a Glock. They don't fire unless you completely depress the trigger. One of the safest there is to carry loaded. And the most reliable.

Anonymous said...

Yes she pulled it from a holster... I think she should have one on each side living in AZ. With all the scum illegals

Unknown said...

So she "cocked" her Glock... Sounds like a legit story

greg said...

Well written story about a citizen doing the right thing and defending themselves against a real threat with the right tool. I believe it! And I am happy it ended well for the mother and daughter.

Anonymous said...

The most comments on one post I have seen so far. too bad so many are ignorant of what a second amendment state is like to live in. Here in Arizona we are not required to have any kind of a permit to open or conceal carry. the cops can not legally stop you just to check your weapon. It makes no difference if you carry a weapon in your waste band because it can be concealed any way you want and government can not force you to buy a HOLSTER for those that do not know how to spell holster. I make custom gun belts and shoulder holsters double or single and extra ammo pouches. I even have a rifle scabbard for my lever action .357 to carry on my back. Everything fits well even with my body armor on.






Anonymous said...

Melvin you insult John Wayne. He had a ranch near me. In Arizona you can carry a gun in your boot if you want to and it is completely legal. An empty gun is not worth carrying.

Anonymous said...

Lee it all depends on the person teaching you to shoot and personal preference. The gun should always be ready to shoot. some states make it illegal to have a round in the chamber some guns are not safe with a round in the chamber In California a safety instructor shot himself unloading his own gun, he should probably carry a water pistol with supervision. It seems to me that people that have never handled a real gun want to write all of the rules. I cut my teeth on bullets and make my own. the safest thing to know about guns is where the barrel is pointed, the bullets always go in that direction.

Remmy700P said...

What phoqueing difference does it make whether she had a CCW license or not? Is she on trial? Dipshit.

Kate said...

My ex brother in law who happens to be a cop has been severely verbally abusing my now 15 year old niece for several years and somehow he has always managed to hide behind his shield and all custody hearings conveniently always happen to be with judges he knows personally. Now has recently begun physically abusing her grabbing her by the throat throwing her into walls and hitting her in areas of her body that's less likely to leave any marks, he also threatens to physically punish her much much younger half siblings if she tells anyone what's been going on. He lives about 150 miles from my sister and my niece called one of her friends and asked them if she gave them gas money if they would drive all the way there to get her, so at 4 o'clock in the morning she stole $50 out of her dad's wallet to give gas money to her friend and as soon as she felt like she was a safe distance from him she called her mom and the police. Thankfully the police are bringinger him up on child abuse charges.

Anonymous said...

Wireless Phil is also wireless in the noggin. Any fool knows that armed assault of any kind is a felony.

Anonymous said...

One Less Felon We Got To Worry About..Saved The Tax Payers A lot of Money By Taking This POS Out..

Anonymous said...

Brother as a 25 yr LEO I hear you Lima Charlie and agree with you 1000%. You are correct. I live in a little village of 3k people w/a 15 man dept. Everyone single one has been terminated or forced to resign from other dept's. The village cannot afford to hire and train their own people but you have to be state certified to work so they hire dregs.They don't reform with a "second chance or third chance" they just bring over their misconduct and misbehavior with them and the cycle continues.

Unknown said...

No need to face charges she was threatened to get shot, so she shot him first not taking that chance of her life being taken in front of her daughter

Anonymous said...

its a safety Issue. Duh!

Anonymous said...

Lots of people carry without a round in the chamber. This would be a safety precaution, she does have a small child. And I'm sure she has her reasons for having one empty chamber, what difference does it make? She put the thug in his place. She knew how to use her weapon once she feared for her life. He was a felon and shouldn't have had a gun in the first place, so she just took care of the U.S. citizens having to support him. He chose this life style and new the consequences. He was dumb.

Anonymous said...

This is why she is alive! I carry legally and I would do the same.

Anonymous said...

You would rather she stayed there & got shot by an accomplice if there was one? She ran to safety then called the police it didn't say she just ran away & the police had to track her down.

Anonymous said...

Shut Phil up quickly

Unknown said...

Some people are not comfortable having a round chambered (I'm not one of them....mine is always chambered). They're afraid of accidental discharge. They need to learn how to rack the weapon really quickly if they're gonna do that. Me...I just keep my finger off the trigger unless I'm going to pull it.

Unknown said...

Some people are not comfortable having a round chambered (I'm not one of them....mine is always chambered). They're afraid of accidental discharge. They need to learn how to rack the weapon really quickly if they're gonna do that. Me...I just keep my finger off the trigger unless I'm going to pull it.

Anonymous said...

If you have been trained correctly. 3 has you draw and rack at same time.
Both taking about .3 seconds and done at same time. No time loss. It also places both hands on gun for steady.
I he has shot it puts arm bone in way of heart, lungs.
It makes it much harder for someone to take gun. It also makes it much harder for someone to take your gun and shoot you.

Unknown said...

A woman openly carrying a Glock was threatened by an armed felon in the early morning hours of 1 August, 2016. She was leaving the gas station with a drink in her hand and the Glock on her hip.

Unknown said...

agreed!

Anonymous said...

A felon is someone who has been convicted of a felony.

If I rob a bank, but the charges get dismissed due to a technicality, I am not a felon. I am a bank robber, but not a felon.

It is error to say that this perpetrator was a felon just because he was acting out a felonious act.

Unknown said...

Great point... Always be ready... A gun doesn't go off as long as you are a responsible gun owner and it's in a good holster that covers the trigger. People that carry need to understand that. ; )

Unknown said...

She is lucky to be alive. Always carry with a round in the chamber and even then if it's a robbery with a weapon already pressed to your body just give up the goods. By pulling her empty weapon up to bear could have resulted in her death and the death/injury of bystanders

jac93246 said...

Glocks do not have a traditional safety, some folks prefer the empty chamber to prevent accidental discharges. She did well, obviously familiar with her weapon and has trained with it. Everything she did was muscle memory from practice.

Anonymous said...

She did right by doing what she did, he had a gun as well, Sorry he died

D Talon Chism said...

Obviously she had trained for condition 3....As a Glock has no safety, as a mother of small children; This is the safest way to carry

Phoenix Dave said...

Not sure why that is your take away from this story. I believe it says allot about you and your outlook. Most people would be happy the innocent person was safe and another bad guy will not have an opportunity to harm anyone else.
@wireless.phil

Unknown said...

My 21 yr old Daughter is a new K9 Officer. Very proud and very scared Father here

Anonymous said...

Nice statement, comeback!

Anonymous said...

putting a gun to her neck was a felony---

Anonymous said...

Youre not dead, why would she be?

DngrsDan said...

I'm with you on that one. An empty chamber makes the gun a paperweight when you really need it most.

Anonymous said...

It says he was already a felon before this ever happened -anonymous, I'm not sure why you chose to try to defend the felons title smh. I honestly don't care what he was but he became a threat That has now been defeated!

Anonymous said...

Just curious if the drink she had was alcoholic.My CPL class instructed us that the legal blood alcohol limits are much lower for those CPL holders....

Anonymous said...

Open and concealed carry is legal in AZ with no permit for residents

Anonymous said...

Someone tried to rob someone at 59th Ave & Camelback ... not surprising at all !

Unknown said...

However you look at it, the man was wrong, it doesn't matter what reason he was robbing for, HE WAS WRONG!! for the idiot that thinks he knows everything a felon is one who commits a felony! It doesn't matter if they are prosecuted, imprisoned or even caught. I'm not sure this man deserved to die but he took that upon himself when he chose to rob with a gun. I would have done the same & I'm not a little girl!

Unknown said...

Please tell me in what states it's illegal to carry with a round in the chamber.

Dean Weingarten said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dean Weingarten said...

Frank Taylor plead guilty to Trafficking in Stolen Property in February of 2015.

http://meredithaz.worldnow.com/story/32586314/was-deadly-shooting-outside-glendale-circle-k-self-defense

Trafficking in stolen property is a felony in Arizona.

Previous comment deleted for spelling error!

Anonymous said...

It states that she cocked it. to me that is thumbing the hammer back. it doesn't mean that there wasn't a round chambered, or she had to work the slide. And as stated several times AZ is a constitutional carry state( meaning we don't need a permit to carry)

Anonymous said...

I carry single six and have the hand made rigs to carry four at a time. a single six you draw with your finger on the trigger. I can get a round off accurately in .22 seconds. Like the man says practice. 4 single sixes gives me 24 rounds without changing mags. I shoot well with either hand. One goes empty I keep firing and changing guns. with the second, third and fourth gun no draw time. Its in my hand waiting.

mchitty1 said...

Because in Jersey, they don't trust their law abiding citizens the right to carry. Welcome to New Jersey, where you do not have the 2nd amendment!

mchitty1 said...

Because in Jersey, law abiding citizens do not have a 2nd Amendment right that the rest of us enjoy! Welcome to the State of New Jersey, where the Founding Fathers would be shaking their heads!
“They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
- Benjamin Franklin

Anonymous said...

mchitty1, I wonder what Franklin would say about people who give up essential liberty for the ILLUSION of safety? Or what he would say about people who want to deprive others of essential liberty in the name of safety?

ScottS said...

Hpw do you "Cock a Glock"??? What Idiot carries without one in the pipe? Having to jack the slide requires two hands... something is wrong with this story...

Armigerous said...

"When you have to shoot,shoot...don't talk"

~Tuco~
"The Good,the Bad and the Ugly"

rumrot said...

go girl

Anonymous said...

Anybody real would have said, "I chambered a round."

Also, I once tried "open carry" and an adult Negro male kept bumping the gun with his body, bumping into me, bump, bump, bump.

Mile 66 said...

It appears to me that she has two hands, so what would be the issue? Some prefer to carry chambered (like me), some don't. Israelis do very well carrying on empty chambers, it's just a matter of practice to achieve a fluid draw, rack, point, aim, shoot and follow through. Throwing or dropping objects (not on an aggressive way that could cause you to get shot) you are carrying has also been used extensively to distract/confuse the robber to get the second or two needed to turn the table once they have the drop on you. There is a video about this guy being robbed inside a bank, while standing in line. He drops the money, even his watch, then he backs with a submissive posture. a second later, while the robber gets down to collect the money from the floor, the guy comes around, gun in hand and ventilates the crook from a foot or two.

Earl said...

Bravo to this lady for fighting back and being prepared. One less goblin roaming the streets looking for victims.

Anonymous said...

I get begged at Circle K's weekly annoys the shit out of me. Now I have to worry that they're violent?

Regarding this incident, though I know life often doesn't make sense, what was his intent? There were people around, her family and bystanders (witnesses) how'd he expect to get away with any type of crime and not be reported almost immediately?

Anonymous said...

You don't become a felon until after a court conviction you fuck head.

Anonymous said...

Wow people these days ! WOULD YOU FUCKING STOP DEFFENDING CRIMINALS

Anonymous said...

Hope she enjoys hell.

Anonymous said...

LOL, Bump, Bump, Bump and bang. Gee you made my holstered gun go off and shoot you in the foot. In the first place bump, bump, bump is assault. It is assault just as much as much as my tobacco juice in your eye is assault. If someone is pushing for trouble let them start it. Bump, bump, bump, is a misunderstanding of what assault is. tobacco in the eye can always be an accident. Just make sure of the wind when you spit. trouble makers will always try to make it look like it is the other persons fault. You have to give them a strong enough reason to back off or make the confrontation their fault. learn to take a punch or two and draw at the same time.

Unknown said...

ScottS...just reading your reply, I`m a disabled vet that carries Isreali...which means I habe an empty chamber, I can draw with stronghand, slide and aim both from hip to the defensive with just the stronghand...all in the training...I built my gunbelt heavy behind the holster to enable the rear sight to set...then its all muscle memory...thought I`d throw that out there...

Anonymous said...

That is why you carry a revolver.Hammer down on empty chamber. Draw pull the hammer on the draw "Bang" no clumsy auto crap to get you killed.

Unknown said...

For those who claim she was Lucky. I shoot pool. I practice and practice my skill and it never fails to amaze me how others proclaim how lucky I am. It seems the better you get at a skill, the luckier you seem to be. HA

Kaep said...

Most murder and victims of violence are men(70% and 85% respectively) so I don't agree 100% of perpetrators look for weak women. There is something to be said about targeting "weak prey", but this has more to do with women and children. Women are 3 times more likely to abuse children and then we have the ultimate helpless victims, the unborn, who women savagely murder millions of times per year..yet it's "legal"