So here is the real story of all the drama last week.
Three of us boys had arranged to meet for a night downhill longboard skating session. For those who don’t know, it just works better at night as you can see cars when they are far away and take evasive action in good time. Then again, it is just more thrilling by the light of a full moon!
We were to meet at 20h30 but I found myself taking my time and watching the opening scenes of some old movie with the family. I had no doubt the boys would wait for me. Until I heard a gunshot, followed by two more. Then I started to move!
It turned out Roger**, one of the boys and a neighbour, had set off earlier at the right time and surprised three chaps in the bushes at the top of the street. One pulled out a gun, pointed it in Roger’s** face, and pulled the trigger. And missed! They tangled and Roger** found himself pinned to the ground and fielding a swinging boot to the face before another neighbour ran into the road. Same chap pointed his gun in George’s** face, pulled the trigger, and missed! From what I gather, gangster gunslinger found it strange too, pointed the gun to his side, pulled the trigger, and shot his comrade. Who died right there on the pavement.
With no remorse whatsoever, the two remaining villains took off down the street with Roger** and George** in hot pursuit.When Roger's** wife joined the chase, both neighbours gave it up and left it to the professionals.
Due to a number of factors, armed response was on the scene within 60 seconds. And in such numbers it was mind blowing. There must have been upwards of 20 armed persons running the street. They found the baddies about 2km away, and it turns out they were wanted for all sorts of naughty things all along the coast. Score one for the good guys! The SAPS, and all of our local response companies were awesome! Our little community rallied around in minutes making sure all were comforted and protected. In a situation like this, it was great to know everyone instead of having to use it as our opportunity to introduce ourselves.
But it was close, very close to an unmitigated disaster. Had the gun toting idiot not been trying to shoot gangsta movie style, it would have been a tragedy for more than just baddie number three.
On the good side, a celebration braai was held this weekend, with upwards of 50 neighbours in attendance. We celebrated our lives, our little community, and our rejection of all things criminal.
We now even have a Facebook Group dedicated to our street. Communication has never been easier!
I keep wondering how I would have reacted because it could have been me first to the top of the street. And I keep coming back to the same answer; it went as well as it could have done for a bad situation, my reaction may well have made it all worse! Either way I firmly believe God was watching over us all…
** names changed to protect the innocent
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