What are your thoughts on this hero who saved countless lives? Will his girlfriend be with him forever? Are most men even brave enough to do the same?

[WhiteBoyChill]

I just find it so inspiring. How one man is capable of stopping such evil and is able to save so many lives.

And I can’t think of anything more spiritually rewarding than the thought of protecting defenseless people.

If only more people were armed in our society, the threats posed by shootings would be far less consequential.

But all around, I think what I find most inspiring is the fact that an ordinary man can go on to do extraordinary things.

Because in terms of his personal life, I’m really not that much different from him.

But I just wonder how many men in American society are still brave enough to act in these situations.

https://heavy.com/news/elisjsha-dicken/

https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2022/07/18/elisjsha-dicken-identified-as-man-who-killed-greenwood-park-mall-suspsect/65375869007/

[WhiteSteve]

Wasn’t this a shooting because of a fistfight? It wasn’t a crazy guy randomly shooting people in a mall, it just happened IN a mall. I feel like he would just shoot the guys he wanted and then break out, not go on a further killing spree. So I’m not sure how many lives were actually at risk, is all I’m saying.

[WhiteSteve]

Strike that, I think I confused a different headline with this story. Either way, I guess good for the kid who took him down, but what I’d like even more is for people to just not have rifles that they’re purchasing legally and shooting the fuck out of people. I’m not really confident counting on “a good guy with a gun”, because there usually isn’t one. The overall problem is that, unlike anywhere else, we have people fairly routinely opening fire in public places. I don’t want good guys with guns, I want people to just not have these crazy fucking things. I don’t know how you actually accomplish it, but I can’t just settle for this as an alternative.

[WhiteBoyChill]

I’d say that’s fair. I also find it kinda worrying how mental nutjobs can just walk into a store and get any gun they want. I mean, there should at least be a way to vet out those people

[CALIGVLA]

"Because in terms of his personal life, I’m really not that much different from him."

No, you have more things in common with the mass shooter than with the guy who stopped him. Your incoherent line of thought is proof that your mental state is FUBAR.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Shut the fck up you insensitive prick

[Agape93]

Lmao he's got you pegged

[Agape93]

He just shot a killer, that's all

[WhiteBoyChill]

And he saved lives doing so. You missed the entire point

[Agape93]

I didn't miss it, I just see no point in glorifying a person who just happened to have a spine.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Well he did an incredible thing and as sad as it is to say, most people probably would’ve just run away

[Agape93]

How is it incredible, because he just had a backbone or a protective instinct? If so, you're confusing rarity with incredibility.

[WhiteBoyChill]

A tragedy was averted. That is what makes it an incredible thing. And it takes an insane amount of courage to act.

As much as I would try doing the right thing, I would’ve probably been trembling in fear and making mistakes

[WhiteBoyChill]

We just don’t hear stories like this very often, which is what makes it so special

[Agape93]

How was a tragedy averted when 3 people still died and 2 more almost died? At best a possible worse tragedy was stopped, but that's a low bar.

[WhiteBoyChill]

The guy had so many rounds of ammunition it could’ve easily been the next Parkland massacre.

[Agape93]

Could have, as I said. But the lack of a high body count doesn't make this not a tragedy, or is there a certain body count before you consider it a tragedy?

[WhiteBoyChill]

As cruel as this sounds to say I’m so used to hearing about just a couple people dying in a shooting, that I no longer consider it a tragedy. Because its become such a common occurence. All I’m saying is that if the shooter had his way, it would’ve been a more statistically significant event as oppossed to one which is commonplace.

[Agape93]

So again, is there a specific body count needed for you to consider it a tragedy, or is tragedy just a buzz word at this point?

It's hardly cruel. Millions die every year, many would I wager pray for just being shot to death, as opposed to wasting from disease, tortured to death or sex trafficked. Being indifferent to those who die quickly is normal in my opinion

[WhiteBoyChill]

Well I definitely do feel bad for those who are killed against their will. And I’m not so sure I agree with your narrative that so many are suicidal nowadays

[Agape93]

When did I mention suicide?

[WhiteBoyChill]

You said there are many people who wish themselves dead

[Agape93]

No, I literally didn't, not even close. I suggest rereading it.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Oh ok. Anyway. I find it strange how you say we should be indifferent to human life

[Agape93]

Human life has no value on its own, we have to ascribe value to life. So if you view human life as largely unimportant, you'll be surprised what doesn't affect you anymore

[WhiteBoyChill]

Human life is important though. It is the essence of God’s creation

[Agape93]

How is it important? We have lived for at least 250,000 years. In those long eons, around 100,000,0000,000 people have been born and died. We are hardly a rarity and less than a fraction of a percent have ever become notable in history.

Also, that's according to YOUR religious teachings. There are tens of thousands of religions, sects and cults. All claim to have the truth, with the same level of proof, nothing. You're welcome to your religion, as am I, but don't confuse your beliefs with reality.

[WhiteBoyChill]

I’m fully convinced my beliefs are reality. So why should I change just because you’re personally unsatisfied with them?

[Agape93]

Good for you, but they're not grounded in reality, only theological claims that it is. I don't care if you change, I don't care what you believe or why. Your religious leanings mean absolutely nothing here.

But it is rather telling that you didn't even answer my question

[WhiteBoyChill]

Whoever said I had to answer your question? You might not care when somebody else dies that’s unrelated to you, but the people that know them still do