You Can Prevent Violence!
In writing this article, I do not mean to disrespect the dead by any means. Violence happens all the time in many places, even close to home.
In Ammon not too long ago, 5 were dead in a murder-suicide that could have been prevented if the victims took proper precaution. It is my duty to analyze what happened so that we all can learn from the past and not let blood be shed in vain.
An ex-girlfriend of a disturbed individual was staying at her sister's home in Ammon. It was early in the morning at 2:30 a.m. when a Gaylin Leirmoe, the ex-boyfriend, came to the sister's house with a gun and "shot Kern (the girlfriend) and their sons, Jack Leiromoe, 3, and Gage Leirmoe, 9 months, as well as Kern's sister, Malinda Kern, 19, before setting a fire in the home and shooting himself." (According to the local newspaper by Rachel Cook, May 14, 2011).
Before coming to the house, Gaylin, the ex-boyfriend, was sending, in her words, "the most delusional psycho-crazy manic messages I've heard from him" via text messaging.
Another excerpt from the newspaper article, "'He was very abusive,' said Kaycee Rigel, a friend and coworker of Kern. "She told me he threatened to kill her if she left him.'...Leirmoe had a history of violence."
Once again, I must reiterate that I do not mean to demean or disrespect the dead. However, things could have been done to prevent what had happened. Lives could have been saved if certain self defense principles were applied.
First of all, if it's late in the morning and you receive "delusional psycho-crazy manic (text) messages," LOCK THE DOORS. If he comes to the house, find a safe spot and call the police.
Whether or not you're aware if he has a pistol on his person, if he starts breaking windows to get in, grab some kitchen knives and charge him. Put the kids in a hiding spot, previously designated for emergencies, and keep the 911 service on the phone until the authorities arrive. If he tries to break in, that's against the law. Perhaps he would have just left after noticing the doors were locked and 4 innocent lives would have been saved. Two children, an infant and a toddler, were brutally murdered by this crazed maniac. Two harmless and innocent women were savagely shot and murdered. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.
I'm not trying to say that these women were unintelligent. They just WERE NOT TRAINED. Self defense isn't about techniques and martial arts as much as it is about common sense with preventing violence.
I live in a town where virtually nobody locks their doors. Ammon is just 25 miles from here and apparently they don't lock their doors there either. I am probably the only paranoid martial artist, or citizen, who locks the doors during the day and night and keeps a close eye on my surroundings, hearing every suspicious noise and acting accordingly...with a 12 gauge sometimes, notwithstanding the fact that I'm an expert at hand-to-hand combat.
This act of violence has affected many people. I give my deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victims. I pray for them in their time of mourning. Again, I mean no disrespect. I am an expert at self defense in all forms and find it my duty to teach what measures can be taken to prevent such acts of violence.
God bless and stay safe.
By the way, we will have a new Asay Kung Fu video available, if not already, for your viewing pleasure and education.
Remember, self defense is not necessarily martial arts. It is preventing violence. It is better not to fight. Sometimes it is necessary to fight, which is why we teach proven techniques that keep people like you safe in the realm of danger.
Patrick Asay
Head Black Belt Instructor
Applied Martial Arts