U.S. seniors fight off muggers, killing one

[Youth N Asia 0]

Story is a few weeks old, but I forgot about it till now.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/02/...d.ap/index.html

 

 

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) -- A tour bus of U.S. senior citizens defended themselves against a group of alleged muggers, sending two of them fleeing and killing a third in the Atlantic coast city of Limon, police said.

 

One of the tourists -- a retired member of the U.S. military -- put assailant Warner Segura in a head lock and broke his clavicle after the 20-year-old and two other men armed with a knife and gun held up their tour bus Wednesday, said Luis Hernandez, the police chief of Limon, 80 miles east of San Jose.

 

The two other men fled when the 12 senior citizens started defending themselves. The tourists then drove Segura to the Red Cross where the man was declared dead. The Red Cross also treated one of the tourists for an anxiety attack, Hernandez said Thursday.

 

He declined to give the name of the tourist or any details.

 

The tourists left on their Carnival cruise after the incident, and Hernandez said authorities do not plan to press any charges against them, saying they acted in self defense.

 

"They were in their right to defend themselves after being held up," Hernandez said.

 

Hernandez said Segura had previous charges against him for assaults.

 

In a statement, Miami, Florida-based Carnival Cruise Lines said the Wednesday incident occurred during an outing at a Limon beach that a group of a dozen passengers had arranged on their own.

 

"According to witnesses, while sightseeing at a local beach, the group of guests were approached by three assailants, one of whom was armed," the statement said.

 

"The victims struggled with the armed perpetrator, and were able to disarm him. During this process, the gunman's two accomplices fled the scene. In the course of disarming and restraining the assailant, he died from apparent asphyxiation."

 

The cruise line said the guests were questioned by local law enforcement and then returned to the ship, whose departure from Limon was slightly delayed to await their return.

 

"All of the guests involved, who had booked the cruise together as a group, have opted to continue with their vacation plans. Carnival is providing full support and assistance to the guests," according to the statement.

 

The ship, The Carnival Liberty, continued on its scheduled itinerary, and was set to return to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Sunday.

[Dobbs 3K 0]

Good for them. That's the way to do it.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Thank God this took place in Costa Rica. Had it been in the States, the muggers would be seeking lawyers as we speak.

 

Having been to journalism school, I often defend use of the "alleged" term. But come on already.

 

A tour bus of U.S. senior citizens defended themselves against a group of alleged muggers...