Veteran truckers know to always be on the lookout for road rage, since it can suddenly become an issue at any time – even when you’re just pumping gas. A trucker in Indiana recently had to defend himself against a road rage-fueled attacker with a knife with the only thing he had on hand – a truck stop squeegee.
The unnamed trucker was pumping gas at a truck stop in Indiana when the man in a vehicle behind him began honking at him and screaming obscenities because the truck was keeping him from fueling up his own vehicle.
Police were called to the scene when the incident escalated further. The man, 51-year-old James Shafer, exited his vehicle and broke one of the headlights on the truck and pulled a knife on the trucker. Looking to defend himself, the trucker grabbed the only thing available to him – a squeegee still covered in windshield cleaning fluid.
“Sometimes you do what you have to do to defend yourself, and if that’s what the guy saw as a defensive weapon you use what’s at your disposal,” said LaPorte County police Captain Mike Kellems in an interview with the Northwest Indiana Times.
Kellems went on to say that “probably the most important piece of advice is don’t reciprocate. It takes two to tango.”
Shafer was arrested and charged with criminal recklessness, battery, and criminal mischief, but was released after he posted bail of $750.
Next Story: Stolen Tanker Truck Leads Police On Unusual Chase
Source: nwitimes, truckersnews
That driver with the knife is lucky he only got squeegeed, I know several dedicated route driver’s that are armed.
Who needs a gun when a ninja trucker has a squeegee. Lol you go get him buddy.
Must have been a pick up truck driver. Pumping Gas at a truck stop.OK .
I heard those guys are hard core…
No doubt, ever since the commercials call them truck drivers. I notice they use the truck islands and go park in the truck parking areas.
The most predictable part of this story: the cop saying don’t fight back. What the hell is wrong with refusing to become a victim? The crooks laugh themselves silly on a daily basis because the people tasked with crime prevention make it easier to be a crook. I don’t care in the least if I win or not, but I guarantee you the opposition will know I was there. Stand up for what is right and good, and don’t be afraid to step in and help anybody who is on the short end. People can make a big difference in society in small ways.
Well said Kirk – sometimes it’s our job to not wait for backup, and just step up and jump in. Don’t need to go looking, but if trouble insists on crossing our path or assault a lesser soul it’s up to us to at least make them remember what path they chose to interfere with. That’s what makes it all work.
Sorry office but I refuse to surrender my bodily fluids waiting for the donut brigade.
If the right punk catches me on the wrong day, he’s going to catch a beating from all the other people I deal with every day that need a whoopin.
I couldn’t agree more.there use to be a time in our country the freaks were afraid to act out in public because the public would stand up for themselves and their neighbors now they just video it and post it on the Internet.
Did he have a permit to be in possession of that squeegee? Sounds like he violated several laws.
In Indiana the law says: “It is a felony to recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally perform an act creating a substantial risk of bodily injury or to inflict bodily Injury while armed with a deadly weapon”. He should have known someone could have gotten hurt when he picked up that squeegee.
Furthermore I believe IN has a magazine capacity law, how much fluid does that squeegee hold. What kind of squeegee was it? was it one of those dreaded “assault squeegees”? I have seen some real scary looking squeegees, but the fuel stops keep them pretty well hidden. One thing in this drivers favor is IN is a “stand your ground” state so he has no duty to retreat, he could have cleaned that guys clock with that squeegee & gone back to fueling his truck with no repercussions.
I don’t care who you are, that is funny.
Lmao
Did he have a concealed weapons permit for that squeegee he was packing?
Driver took a page right out of Walter White’s book…those squeegees sure are versatile, aren’t they.
I had almost the same incident happen to me. I was at a truck stop for the night having dinner and I watched a little tube . After which I said it’s time for some sleep. As I was walking to my truck these two men appeared as I was walking between trailers.One at one end the other at the other end.They said ” gimmy your money”. Well at that point they were in for some crap because I gave the one to the front of me a front kick to the groin and he went down like a sack of bricks and the other guy I hit squarely under the nose with an upward force , broke his nose for sure . Probably killed him , don’t know didn’t stick around . Went down the road a bit to the next rest area then drove on in the morning. that was 38 yrs ago. My military karate lessons at work.
I was confronted at a fuel stop in west memphis while pumping fuel. I had the fuel nozzle in my hand,I hosed the guy in the face with fuel. He didnt bother me any more.
I defended myself in Chicago from a handgun robbery attempt with a fire extinguisher, don’t see me in the paper.
Oh wait, it’s Chicago.
They can have my squeegee when they pry it from my cold dead hands.
It doesn’t matter what state your in the police look at your truck as if it is your home and because that you have the right to defend it as such and I’m also a veteran so if someone want to mess with my truck they better be prepared for a fight cause if I’m gonna go down I’m going down fighting that’s why when I fuel I keep the driver door open come at me the first thing I’m grabbing is the crowbar that I keep just with in reach when I’m in ir around my truck
Wonder if this occurred in the greater Gary, IN area.
I missed the part about the LaPorte police, close enough though.