Americans subdue gunman on French train

[Opti]

Surprised no one posted this yet.

www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/3-who-stopped-attack-were-boyhood-friends/ar-BBm0lBl?ocid=iehp

The three Americans who subdued a gunman aboard a train to Paris are friends from their middle-school days, and two of them serve in the armed forces.

This month, they embarked on a tour of Europe with stops in Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, France and Spain. But their trip was interrupted on Friday when a gunman boarded the high-speed train headed from Amsterdam to Paris, prepared to wreak havoc.

The two service members, Specialist Alek Skarlatos, 22, and Airman First Class Spencer Stone, 23, are both originally from Carmichael, Calif., according to the newspaper The Oregonian. Mr. Stone serves in the United States Air Force and Mr. Skarlatos in the Oregon Army National Guard.

They were joined by a third friend, Anthony Sadler, 23, a college student in Sacramento.

After seeing the gunman struggling with another passenger, the three friends rushed to subdue the gunman, who was carrying an AK-47 rifle, a handgun, ammunition and a sharp blade, according to the authorities.

Mr. Stone was the first to jump up and charge the gunman, followed closely by Mr. Skarlatos and Mr. Sadler, according to Ms. Sadler.

The three tackled the gunman and, with the help of a British businessman living in France, tied him up, she said.

[Tennesseer]

Good on them for saving the day.  

[Artemis Windsong]

The brave and the strong running toward the fight.

[mmhmm]

One of the Americans is in critical condition in a hospital in Lille. His thumb was nearly severed and he was stabbed in the neck. Hopefully, he'll be okay. The mayor of Arras awarded medals of bravery to passengers involved in bringing down the attacker. Very brave action by Spencer Stone of the US Air Force, who was the first to come into contact with the attacker and tackle him to the ground.

[busymom]

I'm thankful for the heroic actions of these young men. If more people got involved, like these men did, perhaps we could put the fear of God into these terrorist "wanna bees", & they'd be less likely to attempt this stupidity.

[deziloooooo]

Aug 22, 2015 21:10:58 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

One of the Americans is in critical condition in a hospital in Lille. His thumb was nearly severed and he was stabbed in the neck. Hopefully, he'll be okay. The mayor of Arras awarded medals of bravery to passengers involved in bringing down the attacker. Very brave action by Spencer Stone of the US Air Force, who was the first to come into contact with the attacker and tackle him to the ground.

Believe your report of "critical" is wrong....Just caught a picture of him as he was leaving hospial..left arm bandaged and in a sling ...am sure hurt and stiches but looking quite fit...

Agree , very brave and courageouse thing to do for the four who brought the perp down..three Americans..all middle school friends touring Europe and a British business man who lives in France...

Funny how earlier reports reported the two who are in service were Marines....actually a Army reservist just back from Afganistan and a air force serving service man...

[❤ mollymouser ❤]

Actually, that's Army NATIONAL GUARD and an Air Force Airman

[OldCoyote]

Where were our brave Frenchmen?

[Tennesseer]

Aug 23, 2015 9:12:32 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Where were our brave Frenchmen?

Seriously?

This was not a French military train. The passengers were random civilians people travelling from Amsterdam to Paris of which three Americans, two in the military and one a college student, were traveling as tourists in the car the gunman entered. It all went down in probably less than a minute and the train was moving as it all occurred.

Had the train been stationary in a station in France, you probably would have seen some brave Frenchman. But the train was in motion in Belgium and not France at the time of the incident.

[mmhmm]

Aug 22, 2015 22:42:33 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

Aug 22, 2015 21:10:58 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

One of the Americans is in critical condition in a hospital in Lille. His thumb was nearly severed and he was stabbed in the neck. Hopefully, he'll be okay. The mayor of Arras awarded medals of bravery to passengers involved in bringing down the attacker. Very brave action by Spencer Stone of the US Air Force, who was the first to come into contact with the attacker and tackle him to the ground.

Believe your report of "critical" is wrong....Just caught a picture of him as he was leaving hospial..left arm bandaged and in a sling ...am sure hurt and stiches but looking quite fit...

Agree , very brave and courageouse thing to do for the four who brought the perp down..three Americans..all middle school friends touring Europe and a British business man who lives in France...

Funny how earlier reports reported the two who are in service were Marines....actually a Army reservist just back from Afganistan and a air force serving service man...

Thanks, Dezi. There are a lot of articles out there and I imagine there was a good deal of confusion. As long as all who were injured recover without incident, I'm golden.

[mmhmm]

Aug 23, 2015 9:48:48 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 23, 2015 9:12:32 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Where were our brave Frenchmen?

Seriously?

This was not a French military train. The passengers were random civilians people travelling from Amsterdam to Paris of which three Americans, two in the military and one a college student, were traveling as tourists in the car the gunman entered. It all went down in probably less than a minute and the train was moving as it all occurred.

Had the train been stationary in a station in France, you probably would have seen some brave Frenchman. But the train was in motion in Belgium and not France at the time of the incident.

One article I read said one of the group of  three Americans had noticed the guy acting weird and thought they'd heard a gun cock. They were watching him. Others probably didn't know. Another article said the staff on the train had locked themselves in their "office" and wouldn't help, but didn't identify any of the staff's nationalities.  Since the three men were already suspicious, it doesn't surprise me they were the first to act. The article also said a French actor broke the emergency glass (injuring his hand in the process) and set off the alarm (or called someone - I'm not sure which). By that time, the three men had the guy down and were busily beating him into unconsciousness and hog tying him. By that point, I'd say the best thing for other passengers to do would be to stay out of the way.

I have to agree, tennesseer. What a question to ask! A possible tragedy with multiple losses of life was averted and there were more than just three people involved in stopping the attacker. Isn't that a good thing? Isn't that something to be thankful for? I'd say it is.

[djAdvocate]

Aug 23, 2015 9:12:32 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Where were our brave Frenchmen?

the French are plenty brave.  knock it off, bro.

[djAdvocate]

Aug 23, 2015 10:37:28 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Aug 23, 2015 9:48:48 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Seriously?

This was not a French military train. The passengers were random civilians people travelling from Amsterdam to Paris of which three Americans, two in the military and one a college student, were traveling as tourists in the car the gunman entered. It all went down in probably less than a minute and the train was moving as it all occurred.

Had the train been stationary in a station in France, you probably would have seen some brave Frenchman. But the train was in motion in Belgium and not France at the time of the incident.

One article I read said one of the group of  three Americans had noticed the guy acting weird and thought they'd heard a gun cock. They were watching him. Others probably didn't know. Another article said the staff on the train had locked themselves in their "office" and wouldn't help, but didn't identify any of the staff's nationalities.  Since the three men were already suspicious, it doesn't surprise me they were the first to act. The article also said a French actor broke the emergency glass (injuring his hand in the process) and set off the alarm (or called someone - I'm not sure which). By that time, the three men had the guy down and were busily beating him into unconsciousness and hog tying him. By that point, I'd say the best thing for other passengers to do would be to stay out of the way.

I have to agree, tennesseer. What a question to ask! A possible tragedy with multiple losses of life was averted and there were more than just three people involved in stopping the attacker. Isn't that a good thing? Isn't that something to be thankful for? I'd say it is.

the dude who hogtied him was from Brittan.

[mmhmm]

Aug 23, 2015 12:17:05 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Aug 23, 2015 10:37:28 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

One article I read said one of the group of  three Americans had noticed the guy acting weird and thought they'd heard a gun cock. They were watching him. Others probably didn't know. Another article said the staff on the train had locked themselves in their "office" and wouldn't help, but didn't identify any of the staff's nationalities.  Since the three men were already suspicious, it doesn't surprise me they were the first to act. The article also said a French actor broke the emergency glass (injuring his hand in the process) and set off the alarm (or called someone - I'm not sure which). By that time, the three men had the guy down and were busily beating him into unconsciousness and hog tying him. By that point, I'd say the best thing for other passengers to do would be to stay out of the way.

I have to agree, tennesseer. What a question to ask! A possible tragedy with multiple losses of life was averted and there were more than just three people involved in stopping the attacker. Isn't that a good thing? Isn't that something to be thankful for? I'd say it is.

the dude who hogtied him was from Brittan.

Thanks, dj. There were a lot of articles when I was looking last night and a lot of misinformation was being published. I haven't had a chance to follow up today. I did see an article last night that said there were people from several countries involved in stopping this potential nightmare.

[OldCoyote]

Aug 23, 2015 12:16:00 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

Aug 23, 2015 9:12:32 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Where were our brave Frenchmen?

the French are plenty brave.  knock it off, bro.

Yea, I figured it out right here.


www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_28685381/three-americans-praised-subduing-gunman-european-train  


a man carrying an assault rifle and handgun entered their train car. A shot was heard. Glass shattered. A train worker sprinted past them.

[mmhmm]

Aug 23, 2015 13:30:36 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Aug 23, 2015 12:16:00 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

the French are plenty brave.  knock it off, bro.

Yea, I figured it out right here.


www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_28685381/three-americans-praised-subduing-gunman-european-train  


a man carrying an assault rifle and handgun entered their train car. A shot was heard. Glass shattered. A train worker sprinted past them.

What makes you think that train worker was a French national? Do you know that or are you just assuming? Me thinks you're just assuming.

[sesfw]

Just read an article on MSN web page where the gunman's lawyer said the attacker was 'dumfounded by the allegations of terrorism'. I hope the French authorities just laugh at the lawyer and continue to question and detail the guy.  Don't want the guys that decked him to get into trouble.

Don't have the link but I guess people like that will whine anything.

[djAdvocate]

Aug 23, 2015 13:30:36 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Aug 23, 2015 12:16:00 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

the French are plenty brave.  knock it off, bro.

Yea, I figured it out right here..

try not to generalize.  it is unflattering.

[mmhmm]

Aug 23, 2015 14:14:04 GMT -5 sesfw said:

Just read an article on MSN web page where the gunman's lawyer said the attacker was 'dumfounded by the allegations of terrorism'. I hope the French authorities just laugh at the lawyer and continue to question and detail the guy.  Don't want the guys that decked him to get into trouble.

Don't have the link but I guess people like that will whine anything.

From what I've read, the gunman was already on lists of "radicalized Islamics" in France. I doubt he's going to be able to sell the dumbfounded idea.

[Tennesseer]

Aug 23, 2015 13:30:36 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Aug 23, 2015 12:16:00 GMT -5 djAdvocate said:

the French are plenty brave.  knock it off, bro.

Yea, I figured it out right here.


www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_28685381/three-americans-praised-subduing-gunman-european-train  


a man carrying an assault rifle and handgun entered their train car. A shot was heard. Glass shattered. A train worker sprinted past them.

The citizens of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK) are allowed to freely migrate, live and work within any of the countries which belong to the union. The train worker's homeland could have been any of the listed countries above. It is pretty ignorant to think just because the train originated in the Netherlands that the train worker(s) must be from France.

I will repeat it again for you if you did not comprehend it the first time-the train originated in the Netherlands. Most here would agree the employees/train worker(s) on this particular train are probably from the Netherlands.

[mmhmm]

Aug 23, 2015 15:37:42 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

Aug 23, 2015 13:30:36 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Yea, I figured it out right here.


www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_28685381/three-americans-praised-subduing-gunman-european-train  


a man carrying an assault rifle and handgun entered their train car. A shot was heard. Glass shattered. A train worker sprinted past them.

The citizens of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the UK) are allowed to freely migrate, live and work within any of the countries which belong to the union. The train worker's homeland could have been any of the listed countries above. It is pretty ignorant to think just because the train originated in the Netherlands that the train worker(s) must be from France.

I will repeat it again for you if you did not comprehend it the first time-the train originated in the Netherlands. Most here would agree the employees/train worker(s) on this particular train are probably from the Netherlands.

Or, imported labor. Nederlanders aren't particularly fond of jobs as train staff and servers.

[zibazinski]

Old Coyote, you must have been in WW2 w my Dad. He had the same point of view.

[Ombud]

www.yahoo.com/news/father-says-french-train-attacker-good-boy-211738986.html

Father of attacker says he was a good boy gone bad bc he was fired by his employer after working there one month! Seriously?!?! Now it's mgmt's fault for not letting him shoot people there? One does not become a terrorist is 30 days. The indoctrination takes longer than that

[deziloooooo]

Aug 23, 2015 14:14:04 GMT -5 sesfw said:

Just read an article on MSN web page where the gunman's lawyer said the attacker was 'dumfounded by the allegations of terrorism'. I hope the French authorities just laugh at the lawyer and continue to question and detail the guy.  Don't want the guys that decked him to get into trouble.

Don't have the link but I guess people like that will whine anything.

He told the lawyer, according to one account I read, that he was just going to rob passengers  shoot out a window and then jump off the train..Is this one of those 100 mph trains..??

[mmhmm]

Aug 24, 2015 1:22:02 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

Aug 23, 2015 14:14:04 GMT -5 sesfw said:

Just read an article on MSN web page where the gunman's lawyer said the attacker was 'dumfounded by the allegations of terrorism'. I hope the French authorities just laugh at the lawyer and continue to question and detail the guy.  Don't want the guys that decked him to get into trouble.

Don't have the link but I guess people like that will whine anything.

He told the lawyer, according to one account I read, that he was just going to rob passengers  shoot out a window and then jump off the train..Is this one of those 100 mph trains..??

That's why he had 5 magazines with him? Hmmmmm...

[deziloooooo]

Aug 24, 2015 1:30:23 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

Aug 24, 2015 1:22:02 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

He told the lawyer, according to one account I read, that he was just going to rob passengers  shoot out a window and then jump off the train..Is this one of those 100 mph trains..??

That's why he had 5 magazines with him? Hmmmmm...

Maybe train had extra large windows.....?? ...........

[happyhoix]

Aug 24, 2015 6:44:24 GMT -5 deziloooooo said:

Aug 24, 2015 1:30:23 GMT -5 mmhmm said:

That's why he had 5 magazines with him? Hmmmmm...

Maybe train had extra large windows.....?? ...........

I also heard the guy claimed he 'found' the AK-47 in a park and got the idea to use it to rob people on the train.

Yeah, that's the ticket....

Fortunately, the guy sounds like he was completely inept. He had jammed the AK-47 and apparently he hadn't loaded the hand gun right, so that after he fired a single shot, the cartridge fell out of it.

Now he gets to go to prison and tell all the other criminals how he got beaten in the head with his own gun until he passed out - that will make him a hit.

[OldCoyote]

I will repeat it again for you if you did not comprehend it the first time-the train originated in the Netherlands. Most here would agree the employees/train worker(s) on this particular train are probably from the Netherlands.

Now I comprehend.  But what does France do with all Netherlands employees that only travel one way into their country, or if the train was going the other way all the French in Netherlands?

[happyhoix]

Aug 23, 2015 9:12:32 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

Where were our brave Frenchmen?

Well, as much as I would love to use the phrase 'cheese eating surrender monkeys,' you have to figure this was something that took place so quickly, and with two of the three American friends having military training (which taught them how to notice this kind of activity, and how to respond) I can't fault the other civilians on the train, whatever their nationality. If this had happened on an American train, the results would have been the same. I know I, personally, would probably have sat there like a stunned duck trying to figure out what the heck was happening, if I was there.

Watching the military/police response around Paris following the Charlie Hebo attacks, I don't think the French lack for brave young people.

[happyhoix]

Aug 24, 2015 7:08:40 GMT -5 OldCoyote said:

I will repeat it again for you if you did not comprehend it the first time-the train originated in the Netherlands. Most here would agree the employees/train worker(s) on this particular train are probably from the Netherlands.

Now I comprehend.  But what does France do with all Netherlands employees that only travel one way into their country, or if the train was going the other way all the French in Netherlands?

Most likely they have crews like the airlines have crews - and most likely the crews are mixed nationalities.  Some of these people might have been home based in Paris, and were returning there, and some of them might have been home based in Belgium, and would return there on a later train.