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Michigan Woman’s Fearless Face-off Against Armed Carjackers in Parking Lot

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A daring young woman from Michigan recently made headlines for her courageous retaliation against a group of would-be carjackers. The 24-year-old, Rachel Smiglewski, chased down the alleged criminals in her flip-flops, ultimately leading to their arrest.

The episode unfolded in Taylor, Michigan, in the parking lot of a Target store on Pardee Road. The police reported that the incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. on a Monday. Smiglewski was in her boyfriend’s car when the assailants approached her, wearing surgical masks and wielding a gun.

“Something in me snapped,” Rachel Smiglewski stated to local news station WXYZ-TV. Fear and shock initially flooded her, as she grappled with the sudden, violent confrontation. She tried dialing 911, but one of the culprits batted the phone out of her hand and pistol-whipped her, leaving her bloodied but defiant.

‘You just get sick of it, and I’m not going to let anyone do that to me anymore.’

Despite their coercive tactics, Smiglewski, rather than submitting to the criminals, found an unexpected surge of courage. She handed over her car keys as demanded, but an internal switch flicked on. Determined not to be a victim, she resolved to resist and protect herself.

“All of a sudden, something snapped in me and I was like, ‘You know what? No, I’m not going to let this happen to me. This is not going to happen,'” she recounted.

Armed with nothing but her determination, she began to make a scene, yelling for help and slamming her hands on the roof of the car. The spectacle she created was enough to deter the carjackers, who, despite possessing her keys, fled the scene.

“I chased after them. We ran the whole parking lot and I was wearing flip-flops. Then I lost my shoes, so my feet are all cut up,” Smiglewski stated, describing her gritty pursuit.

‘I was back ready to fight all three of them.’

She was prepared to confront the culprits, three scrawny teenagers, as she put it, and fight back. During their escape, one of them tossed her keys back. The carjackers eventually sought refuge in a nearby BJ’s restaurant, where the alert staff notified the police about the suspects hiding in the restroom.

Following this information, the police arrested three teenagers aged between 14 and 18 years old. They also confiscated a 9mm Glock. According to investigations, the trio had originally gathered to play basketball but ended up scheming a carjacking when they missed their bus to Detroit.

When asked about her motivation to resist, Smiglewski expressed her exasperation with being taken advantage of. “I’ve had everybody walk all over me and take advantage of me for years and years. You just get sick of it, and I’m not going to let anyone do that to me anymore,” she declared.

In a Facebook post, Smiglewski, who works as a sandwich artist at Subway, expressed her relief at having survived the encounter. “I fought and won and am so glad to be alive and not shot dead over some car,” she wrote.

Smiglewski’s full interview recounting the incident can be viewed directly on YouTube, following a decision by WXYZ to disable its video for other websites.


What is your opinion on personal safety measures when facing violent circumstances such as a carjacking?

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Preparedness

Lawnmower Escape Fails: Bodycam Captures Bizarre Police Pursuit

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Recently released bodycam footage reveals a peculiar incident involving a Michigan man who attempted to evade law enforcement on a riding lawn mower. The footage captures the unusual chase and subsequent events that unfolded when the suspect, James Mitchell Kerr, was approached by authorities.

On September 19, officers were dispatched to a residence in Leoni Township with the intention of arresting Kerr, who had multiple outstanding warrants. Upon arriving, the deputy found the 41-year-old suspect operating a riding lawn mower. Despite being ordered to dismount, Kerr allegedly refused to comply.

In a surprising turn, Kerr reportedly accelerated the mower toward the deputy before attempting to flee. The chase, while unconventional, saw the mower eventually come to a halt in a ditch. Even then, Kerr allegedly ignored commands to surrender.

The situation escalated further when Kerr returned to his mower, retrieved a concealed handgun, and aimed it at the deputy. In response, the officer deployed a stun gun, successfully striking Kerr. This action inadvertently caused Kerr to discharge his weapon, resulting in a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his hand.

Kerr was subsequently treated for his injury at a local hospital and later released. Fortunately, the deputy emerged from the incident unharmed.

“This incident underscores how rapidly a seemingly routine encounter can escalate and the potential dangers deputies face daily,” remarked the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. “Thankfully, the deputy was unharmed, and the suspect did not sustain serious injuries.”

Following his medical clearance, Kerr was arrested and released on bail. The case prompted Jackson County Sheriff Gary Schuette to request an independent investigation by the Michigan State Police, alongside an internal review by the sheriff’s office. The internal investigation concluded that there were no policy violations during the incident.

In October, Kerr faced formal charges and was bound over for trial in circuit court. He remains in custody at the Jackson County Jail, awaiting further legal proceedings.


How should have police proceeded with the individual?

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Unprovoked NYC Stabbing Spree Sparks Safety Concerns

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A shocking series of stabbings unfolded in New York City, leading to the deaths of three individuals. The suspect, identified as 51-year-old Ramon Rivera, has a history of multiple arrests and is currently homeless. His arrest came after a cab driver, who witnessed one of the attacks, notified the authorities.

The victims were simply going about their daily routines when they were attacked without warning. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny stated, “Today, we have three innocent New Yorkers, just going about their lives, who were the victim of a terrible, terrible assault.”

The violent spree began at approximately 8:20 a.m. on 19th Street. A 36-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach while standing in front of a construction site. Despite being rushed to Bellevue Hospital, he succumbed to his injuries.

Just two hours later, another attack occurred on 30th Street near the East River. This time, a 68-year-old man who was fishing was repeatedly stabbed. Unfortunately, he also did not survive, passing away at the same hospital.

The final victim, a 36-year-old woman, was attacked near the United Nations building on East 42nd Street and First Avenue. She was critically injured and taken to Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she later died.

Kenny emphasized the seemingly random nature of these brutal acts, saying, “As of right now, these attacks seemed to be unprovoked. That he just walked up to them and began to attack them with the knives.”

The suspect was apprehended shortly after the third attack. A cab driver, who witnessed the incident, mistakenly thought he was observing a robbery and reported it to the police. Rivera was found with large kitchen knives and blood-stained clothing.

An officer involved in Rivera’s arrest described the scene: “I just heard a commotion. Stepped outside and heard what people were saying and reacted.”

Mayor Eric Adams highlighted systemic issues, describing the incidents as a “clear, clear example of the criminal justice system, mental health system that continues to fail New Yorkers.” The investigation is ongoing, with no additional suspects identified at this time.


How should incidents of random violence, like the recent New York City stabbing spree, influence public policy on personal safety and self-defense?

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Gunfire Strikes Plane at Dallas Airport: Security Concerns Rise

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A recent incident at Dallas Love Field has raised significant concerns about aviation security after a bullet struck a Southwest Airlines plane near the cockpit while it was taxiing for takeoff. The unexpected event forced an evacuation of the flight, and authorities are actively searching for the person responsible for the gunfire.

“The fact that it hit so very close to the cockpit seems too much of a coincidence,” noted an airport spokesperson.

Flight 2494, which was preparing for departure to Indianapolis, was hit around 8:30 p.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane returned to the gate where passengers disembarked, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The runway was temporarily closed as police conducted their investigation. An FBI airport liaison agent has been assigned to collaborate with police and federal partners to ensure a thorough investigation.

Shannon and Jamie Lee, who were on the flight with their children, shared their experience. They recalled the pilot announcing a “rattle outside of the plane” and the need to return to the gate for an inspection. Initially, they believed it was a routine mechanical issue.

Shannon Lee expressed surprise upon learning about the gunfire after landing in Indianapolis, saying, “We had no idea that something happened.”

The couple appreciated Southwest’s handling of the situation but felt passengers should have been informed about the shooting before boarding another flight. Jamie Lee remarked, “I was surprised that they had shut the runway, not really knowing if there were potentially other shots being fired.”

The Lees emphasized the importance of allowing passengers to decide on their safety, with Shannon Lee stating, “You have to give people a choice, whether they want to put their safety at risk a second time in one night.”

Southwest Airlines has since apologized to the Lees and offered a voucher for a future flight. The incident has prompted the Lees to reconsider their travel plans until more is known about the investigation and potential safety improvements.

Armen Kurdian, a retired Navy captain, expressed shock at the incident, saying, “Holy cow, somebody just shot a gun, and it hit a commercial aircraft!” He explained that investigators would focus on determining the bullet’s origin and whether the shot was intentional.

The proximity to the cockpit raises questions about whether it was a targeted attack, as Kurdian noted, “The odds of that happening, I think, got to be really, really high.”

Kurdian also highlighted the potential damage a bullet could cause to an aircraft, ranging from minor issues to more severe impacts on critical systems. Despite the backup systems in place, he acknowledged the security vulnerability this incident exposes.

“Did this put an idea into, say, a non-state or a state actor as, ‘Oh, maybe this is something we can do to disrupt air travel’?” Kurdian pondered.

He suggested that airports and agencies should consider enhanced security measures, such as random sweeps and physical barriers, to prevent similar incidents in the future.


How should incidents involving gunfire near airports be addressed to ensure public safety?

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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