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So this is that story of the shootout. I mentioned days ago that I might write this

I seriously contemplated if I should even tell it here in the first place but eh. I'll delete it if I feel the need to. I'll also mention that any investigations are over with & I no longer put myself in these positions anymore. Also, sorry for the length lol.

I realize there are people who will judge me regardless so screw it. I'll take that 馃し

To start, it was another regular day. I worked my ass off on a long shift, got off work, then I decided to stop by a friend's to see what he'd been up to (I'll call him A). His best friend had just gotten killed a few weeks before & he was going through a really hard time. Not only were the same people trying to kill him too, but my friend wanted revenge on the people who did it. Typical hood story. One of my closest friends (I'll call him B) & I would stop by to visit him almost every day to keep him company & make sure he was safe. We didn't want him getting attacked or doing anything stupid.

This one particular night, we were outside by the parking lot because we were smoking. It was late at night on a work day so we weren't expecting anybody to really be looking for us. We were laughing & joking around, telling stories like usual. Suddenly A got a text message that was only a picture of the street sign closest to the corner we were next to.
We knew that picture was sent as a warning that we were being watched & immediately we all changed our whole demeanor.

Every single one of us owned guns & at that moment there was four of us standing together. We all cocked our guns back (put a bullet in the chamber) & kept them at our sides because we already knew something was about to happen. We just didn't know where, what, or how it was gonna pop off.

We decided to start walking back to the apartment so we walked in line, one by one at a distance so we weren't all grouped together at once.

That's when a black sedan pulled into the parking lot. We had our eyes on the car as it pulled up across from the spaces we were next to. Both front doors opened & two men leaned out of each of the doors. We heard the *click clack* of pistols being cocked back. The first shot went off & I heard the bang as I saw the ground spark up right in front of my feet, meaning that's where the first bullet hit. Each of us aimed back & started shooting immediately. My guess is they didn't expect all those shots to be returned. There was only two of them & four of us but we were running for cover since we were in the open while they were ducking, closing their doors, getting ready to drive off. Shots still flying back & forth the whole time.

Thats when we all took the cue to split & started running in different directions. I parked my car outside of the complex when I arrived because I didn't want to risk my car getting towed (since I didn't live there). As I exited the complex from the opposite direction I saw the same black sedan pulling out of the complex on the other side of the street as me. I don't even know how they got there so fast.

I saw the windows rolling down & I knew what that meant so this time I shot at them first because when you're in that state of mind, your thoughts are "hit them before they hit me". They fired back only a few shots before hitting the gas hard & peeling out of there. The way they drove away seemed like the driver definitely got shot. I found out later that's exactly what happened. He got hit in the leg when I shot at his car.

I got to my car & left as quickly but calmly as I could. Of course speeding would draw attention & I could already hear the police sirens so I was just driving like I normally would've. B called at that moment & told me that A is by a tree around the corner. I pulled up, he hopped in my car, then we drove back to B's house.

I was still on high alert when I got there. Every car that passed by his house had me watching them just waiting for something to happen again. I felt like with the amount of bullets that went off that night it's amazing my friends & I didn't get hit.

The next day we found out both of those people in the sedan were shot. Both lived. It's hard to say which of our bullets hit the other guy though. I know I hit the driver but idk who hit the 2nd person. I haven't heard anything about him since. Maybe he didn't even make it.. but I think if that happened I would've heard about it. That shootout was a huge deal & the streets knew about it. So I think he just vanished on his own after.

That was the last incident I got into before I took a step back from that lifestyle. I got tired of looking over my shoulder, wondering if this might be the day I get locked up or maybe even shot. I got tired of being there for my friends & not worrying about myself. When their stupid asses are gonna do what they wanna do no matter what. At a certain point I can't be there anymore. I can't stop them. & Why throw my own life away for other people who are throwing theirs away too?
Even out of all those people in the shootout that night, only two of us are still alive & free. Just me & B.. he's still one of my closest friends.
A is in prison now. So is the other friend who was with us that I didn't name.

As for the other two who targeted us, one of them is dead. He pointed a gun at A's sister a week later so A killed him in broad daylight in front of witnesses. Shot him more than 20 times. So not much of a defense for that in court. The other guy, I have no idea but it wouldn't be hard to guess.

I know there's people who will read this & think about what a lowlife piece of shit I am. The disregard for the safety of others. The recklessness of knowing what could result from the positions I put myself in. I don't disagree with that at all. I'd tell you you're right.

I'm here because I like telling my stories from time to time, giving my input, & accepting others. The same reason I joined EP long ago. I've always liked writing & EP allowed me to write my experiences in a place where people can actually relate or ask questions. Because I ain't telling my family on Facebook these stories 馃槀 I mean I'm honest with them but I ain't out there writing shit like this for them to read me like a book. Especially this one because it's too much.
I can say I'm a good person.. I can tell you all that I've changed, but words aren't enough for things like that. You guys can decide that yourself. If you think I'm a bad person.. then I am. I won't argue with you.
I'm just here to share my experiences & hope it does something.
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NickiHijabF
This was honest. Thanks for sharing it.
By all means, you don't have to answer this if you don't want to, but I ask to gain perspective, not to judge.

Growing up, did you feel like you had any other choice but to lead a lifestyle like this?
ChiefWalksWith40oz26-30
@NickiHijab Well.. yeah. I think I felt like I had no choice. I felt like that's all I was meant for.

Idk how many of my other posts you've seen but I've talked about my life here & there. To sum it up, I faced a lot of types of abuse, suffered it, witnessed it. But I think certain things I've seen & dealt with made me feel so much anger. & The fact that I felt so unprotected made me feel like I need to protect myself & everybody around me.

I've spent my life looking out for everyone & never giving a shit about myself. I didn't care about my own life because I wanted to die anyway. I joined a gang at a young age.. most likely for the feeling of family & protection. So being as loyal as I am, I've always looked out for my people. I'm there for my people. My family more than anything but I also never left the gang I'm from. So I help in any way I can.. but mentally. I'm not considered "active" anymore. I'm pretty much an OG. Even at my young age
NickiHijabF
@ChiefWalksWith40oz that makes a lot of sense. I'm sorry you've had to experience all this at such a young age. No one should have to live a life consumed by fear of being or witnessing others being hurt.

Thing is, you have all these admirable qualities that you channelled in the only way that was accessible to you. I can't judge you for that.
It's interesting however that you decided to leave this life behind at a young age. You don't usually see that. People find identity and purpose in gangs to the extent where any alternative lifestyle threatens their conditioning and being. They'll hold onto it for as long as they can.

What was it about this event that was more of a wake up call then others you've experienced?
ChiefWalksWith40oz26-30
@NickiHijab honestly, I've just never felt like I fit into just one category. My teachers in school told me I was smart.. I was top of my class every school year in every subject. But I also was a stoner & a gang member who didn't give a shit & hardly showed up to school. I dropped out because I got kicked out of too many schools & had too many honors classes to get credit for them anymore. Lower schools wouldn't accept my honors credits.

What changed me was the fact that I was tired of losing. I had a pregnancy scare at that same time & it freaked me out knowing that I might get locked up & not get to raise my kid.. I still gotta get locked up but I haven't turned myself in yet. It just sucks living a life like that & you get exhausted