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About three or four weeks ago a man from New Jersey was down
in Barranquilla visiting his girl friend. One day he was running
around with a camcorder filming the sites and guess what? Yea
thats right he managed to get his self robbed. Instead of just
turning over the goods he fought and was shot. Today in the paper
they talked about the robber going to court for the dirty deed
because the man died in the hospital over a camcorder and some
money.

... in response to Bad ending..., posted by Fuzzyone on Jan 28, 2005

If anybody ever pulls a gun on me, they had better make sure I am dead, because if I'm alive within 1 sec from the time I see a gun, I might not be able to prevent myself from killing them. What is the penalty for self-defense in Colombia?

... in response to make sure I'm dead, posted by Thunderstruck on Jan 30, 2005

Since you live in San Diego, I am curious; are you a former Marine?  I have a son at 29 Palms right now. He got back from his second tour of Iraq in October.  He is supposed to be getting out in April.  As you might guess, he has also spent alot of time at Camp Pendleton, over the last 4 years.  Last year, when the war started, he went to Iraq on a ship from right there at Pendleton.  The second time, he and the others all flew.

                               OkieMan

... in response to Bad ending..., posted by Fuzzyone on Jan 28, 2005

This guy made 2 big errors,or he would be enjoying his girlfriend right now.
First,camcorder or big camera hanging around your neck you are advertising RICH TOURIST,ROB ME.I have a digital camera that fits in my pocket but I rarely pull it out in public.If you really want to look like a Japaneese tourist
its best to be with a group,of people,but even that won't stop guys with guns.
Second,he fought with the guy.Now here you make a quick decision and some guys better at self defense might make the wrong one.The guy looks like a little punk.I can kick his butt no problem,then he shoots you.In alot of cases you can just scare the guy off.If he does have a gun or knife he will probably show you before using it.But maybe not.My ex novia got robbed a year ago.She is a tough chica.She was fighting with the guy,hitting him.He pulled out a gun.She says its yours.If it was a different guy or if you were really kicking his butt he might just shoot you.
KB tells the story of being a fews steps behind his army special forces buddy when 3 guys with screwdrivers jumped
him.He kicked the shit out of all 3 of them wham bam.KB says it looked like a Chuck Norris movie.They were running like hell getting out of there.Pretty funny,but if they had a gun he might be dead.And error here could cost you your life.If someone wanted to kidnap you vs rob you it might be more worth a fight,but they would probably be armed for sure.I guess the other factor if the guy appears high on drugs he might care less about killing you.
I look aroundall the time thinking some people I passby arejust looking for the right opportunity.What do they look like,how do they act? If they have decided to take you on its because they feel confident for some reason.
Best to never have to face the situation,so leave the cam corders and gold chains and other bait at home.Go to moresecureareas onlyu,like malls.Other places day time only,except maybe someplace like avenida Sexta,but watch it even there.Better to travel in a  group.Stay out of the bad barrios.Then the chances of luck running out are alot less.I have never had a problem,except one beggar who got a little aggresive one timewhen I waswalking with Margareth,I was trying to figure out what was going on,was about ready to kick him in the ass.She just gave him a coin,he went away.Who kno3ws,he might have had aknifeand stabbed me.Dangerous punks and other punks look alike.
Some people carry a dummy wallet,a little money,nothing important.and cash in another pocket or something.One guy told me abnout being robbed,he trewthe dummy wallet,the guy went for it,he ran out of there.I never bothered with that but always have at least one credit card plus original passport home in my safe,so I'm not broke if I do get robbed.

Pete

... in response to 2 stupid deadly mistakes, posted by Pete E on Jan 28, 2005

You are right on all accounts. When I was down there in Barranquilla and Santa
Marta I took only what I could afford to lose. My wife said the same if you are
getting robbed just give it to them because being dead is not worth it....

... in response to Re: 2 stupid deadly mistakes, posted by Fuzzyone on Jan 28, 2005

The US gentleman from New Jersey is one of my
visa clients who has a fiancee from a poor barrio
in Barranquilla. On his recent visit to see her,
he attended an unsupervised school-level soccer
match with his lady in her barrio, and took along
his camera.

As he was taking a picture, a rowdy young hoodlum
at the soccer match lunged for his camera. My client
made a natural "first reaction" move to cover his camera.
But when the hoodlum pulled a gun and confronted him,
my client gave up the camera and began to walk
away. The hoodlum pointed and fired the gun at my
client anyway.

My client suffered a gunshot wound in his neck,
and was treated at a local medical clinic hospital
and later released. He was extremely fortunate,
and was not more seriously hurt. He was given good
medical care, and a lot of help from concerned
local citizens and friends. His medical expenses
were paid as he wisely purchased medical insurance
coverage. Naturally, my client and fiancee are very
distraught about this episode.

Yes, there is a write-up in the local Barranquilla
newspaper today, but we would all appreciate
continuing respect for privacy.

The hoodlum was arrested and has been brought up
on charges of aggravated assault and attempted homicide.
Meanwhile, my client and fiancee wish to put this incident
behind them and move on with their daily living and coming
new life in the US with visa.

I believe that this sad episode is somewhat isolated
as Barranquilla in general is very safe for Americans,
especially the places where we as tourists would most
often frequent such as malls, restaurants, hotel zones
and common tourist sites.

The moral of the story is of course use common sense,
do not unduly flash anything of perceived value,
stay away from poor barrios where there might be
petty crime, and I suggest also stay away from unsupervised
lower level soccer matches or sporting events which tend to
attract rowdy sometimes intoxicated and violent young thugs.
Also, folks may want to consider private medical and travel
insurance before visiting abroad.

Again, the espisode is unusual IMHO as Barranquilla is now and
has been widely known as very safe for visiting Americans.

Regards at all.

... in response to Please allow me to clarify this incident..., posted by Gary Bala on Jan 28, 2005

Thank you for the follow up on what happened. My wife seem to think she
was right but.. I do seem to remember he was ok after the shooting. I knew his
name but I did not really think it was important and I think if anyone here
wanted to know they could read the newspaper from Barranquilla. The paper
really did not say what exactly happened but did say the robber had been
caught. I have spent about 3 months down in Barranquilla myself in a poor area
with no problems, it might be because I have a very smart wife :-)

... in response to Please allow me to clarify this incident..., posted by Gary Bala on Jan 28, 2005

Gary,
Thanks for clarifying the incident and I'm glad the guy didn't die.Stories can get embelished beyond the facts sometimes.It sounds like the major mistake was going to this soccer match.If it wasjust a normal camerathat shouldn't have been such a big deal.Often Colombians will encourage us to go someplace that has been safe for them but might not be for a gringo.I have gone a couple of times to a girlfriends fathers house in a pretty bad barrio.She doesn't think too much off it but it could be a risk for me if I am spotted as a gringo by the wrong guys.Its a strata 2,bad enough taxis don't go in after about 10.30.Strata ones,I don't go, no way,no how.

Pete

... in response to Please allow me to clarify this incident..., posted by Gary Bala on Jan 28, 2005

Hi Gary.. I am glad you clarified how safe barranquilla is. I have been there over 6 times and found it very safe. just use your street sense and you will be o.k. by the way, I found the ladies there to be very open and not afraid to show their affection, best of, Terry