Thank goodness for people who ignore signs and policies that prohibit law-abiding good guys from carrying guns.
The mainstream media mentions only in passing the "off-duty police officer" who took down the Somali Muslim terrorist who slashed his way through the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota. In reality, it was a guy who worked as a part-time cop in a small town as a side-gig, who like many of us, was a firearms enthusiast and concealed carry licensee.
He ignored signage and policies at the Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud, Minnesota when he carried his concealed carry piece into that mall. And yes, the Crossroads Mall is a "gun-free" venue. No exemptions are made for off-duty cops.
From their website: "No firearms or illegal weapons"
The officer who killed the suspect was identified as Jason Falconer, a former police chief in nearby Albany.
“The officer’s life was clearly in danger,” Kleis said, pointing to surveillance video that shows the officer shooting and the suspect falling and getting back up three times, at one point lunging toward Falconer.
Well done, Jason. Hats off for doing what needed doing and saving lives. You sir, are a hero. You could have run for the exits, selfishly protecting yourself so you could get home safely and left strangers to fend for themselves. Instead, you manned up and did the moral and ethical thing: you took care of business.
Way to keep shooting the attacker too. He had the mindset he was going to kill as many as he could for his Allah. You had a stronger mindset that you were going to live and sent him to meet Jesus instead. Well done.
Falconer owns Tactical Advantage and Tactical Firearms Training in Waite Park. His professional biography says he “specializes in reality-based firearms, law enforcement and personal security training.”
Reached by phone Sunday afternoon, Falconer said, “I’ve been trying to stay away from it all, for the time being.”
Spoken like a pro.
Here’s Jason’s bio at Tactical Advantage, LLC. He's no slouch.
Jason Falconer is the President and Owner of Tactical Advantage and has also been operating Tactical Advantage Firearms Training, Inc., since 2003. Tactical Advantage currently concentrates on firearms training for individuals in a group or private setting, including permit to carry training classes in Minnesota. Jason has also created advanced and customized classes for individuals who desire more advanced safety training. As a consulting member of SMEAC, Jason specializes in reality-based firearms, law enforcement and personal security training. His business has grown primarily through student referrals, and he takes great pride in providing the best training options available in Central MN.
Jason believes everyone can always learn something new, no matter what their expertise or discipline. That is why continued education and training has been a strong personal interest of his. As a result, he has attended some of the best firearms training schools in the United States. His goal is to teach individuals the mindset, knowledge and skills needed to be successful with firearms in order to secure their personal safety or that of their family; at home or in public. As a firearm training professional, he continuously researches and develops new curriculum and training methods to make the experience for his students the best they can get.
Since 2008, Jason has been assisting Ted Boran with St. Cloud State University Law Enforcement Skills Training in the disciplines of decision shooting and dynamic entry. He intends to use this experience to further develop the curriculum to help instruct law enforcement professionals and responsible citizens the benefits of reality-based training. Jason believes that although civilian and law enforcement students can obtain great firearms training from various sources, they are missing a key component in their personal safety training if that training is not reality-based.
Jason has a law enforcement background and is the former Police Chief of the Albany Police Department where he continues to serve as a part-time officer. Jason also serves as the department’s firearms instructor, and has created POST Board approved firearms training curriculum.
Jason has been a member of the United States Practical Shooters Association (USPSA) as well as a local club, St. Cloud Area Practical Shooters Association (SCAPSA) for many years. He competes at the SCAPSA outdoor range in matches and league competitions year-round, and has attained several league championships in various divisions. Jason is an avid three-gun competitor and has been privileged to participate on shooting squads at various 3-gun and tactical shotgun matches with professional shooters such as James Casanova, Rob Romero, Mark Harnish, Janson Jensen, Mark Miller, and Dave Neth. In June 2012, St. Cloud hosted the CAN-AM Games for Law Enforcement and Firefighters from around the world. Jason was fortunate to compete in various Can-Am events including two of his passions, shooting sports and ice hockey.For his efforts, as well as his team members, Jason earned six Can-Am medals, five for shooting events, and one for hockey. This was a tremendous experience to be treasured.
The bad guy? "He was just on his way to buy a new iPhone 7," the little terrorist's friends and neighbors told the media. While the FBI and politicians like Minnesota's governor and President Barack Obama are trying to learn what could possibly have driven the attack in today's politically correct world, ISIS has already claimed responsibility for the attack.
Back to the Star-Tribune story:
Jaylani Hussein, executive director in Minnesota of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Sunday that “we are definitely concerned about the potential for backlash in the community, both in the immediate run and the longer term.”
Jaylani: You're concerned? What about all of us people who are just minding our own business when a member of your "community" gets Sudden Jihadi Syndrome and starts trying to kill people.
Hussein called the attack “an isolated incident, and we still don’t know the full facts.”
Ahmed Said, executive director of the Somali American Relations Council, said they don’t know whether religion motivated Adan, “but we know he is a Somali.”
“Let us not rush and jump into conclusions,” Said said in a statement. “… We strongly stress that everybody calms down and focus on what unites us than what divides us in these difficult times.”
What unites us won't kill us.
Barakad Omar, a classmate of Dahir Adan at Apollo High School, said he was “a good kid” and an A student.
Where have we heard that before?
Another terrorist attack in a "no guns zone" – who'da thunk?
…and now CAIR is whining about a possible backlash. I'm betting this guy was not acting in isolation. There were others who encouraged him.
Who would have thought an ordinary citizen could be competent enough to use a gun! Never! According to the media. Good for him for ignoring that dangerous policy. Bad guys don't respect signs or policies, why should good guys give up their safety and security.
Concealed means concealed.
Good shoot.
They don't call it Little Mogadishu up there for nothing.
Deplorable
I'll bet the guy was just there to get some Skittles.
And an iPhone 7.