USC students hold off gunman The full title is Cops: USC students hold off gunman AP April 24, 2007

LOS ANGELES --Students wrested a gun away from a University of Southern California student who had been asked to leave an off-campus party after threatening a young woman, police said Tuesday.

Zao Xing Yang, 19, was arrested early Sunday and is being held without bail, Chief William Bratton said at a news conference.

Some students at the party, held at a student's home, overheard Yang making intimidating statements to the woman and threatening her with violence about 3 a.m. Sunday, Bratton said.

Yang began arguing with the host, who noticed Yang was holding a gun, he said.

"Several students wrestled the gun away from Yang and held him until campus security and then LAPD officers arrived," Bratton said.

Detectives searched Yang's off-campus room Monday and found a safe containing methamphetamine packaged for sale, a .44-caliber Magnum revolver and several hundred dollars in cash, Bratton said.

Yang is charged with making criminal threats, assault with a firearm and personal use of a handgun. If convicted, he faces up to 18 years in prison.

Defense attorney Nina Marino declined to comment.

Of course there will be comparisons to the Virginia Tech students. I feel I have to point out some likely (emphasis) differences.

First, some of these fellows were likely (again, emphasis here) enjoying some adult beverages which lower inhibitions. Clearly not to excess or they wouldn't have succeeded. Students going to class likely weren't affected by drugs or alcohol and so were more intimidated.

Second, they were in very close proximitiy to one another which has been proven to give soldiers greater confidence. The VT students, sitting at the desks or other furniture used in many classrooms, were/felt isolated and their movements restricted which made it easier to intimidate them.

Third, they probably were also in close proximity to the gunman and there were likely a number of them close to the gunman. At VT the students closest to the killer were likely at least 6 feet from him. While it isn't true in fact, 6 feet seems a great distance to the untrained.

I think, too, the USC kids were aware of what happened at VT and had changed or strengthened resolve. I'd like to hear from the students involved but I don't know that they want to be quoted. I know my kids would not want me to know that they were at a party at 3 AM!

Labels: Culture

  ¶ posted by The Editor 8:23 AM