Jeff Piotrowski Almost Stabbed in Texas

[Kyle Brittain]

https://www.periscope.tv/w/1vAxRPpWkwjGl

Action starts around 12:50.

Of all the hazards associated with chasing, this doesn't seem to be one that happens very often!

 

[David Hoadley]

Am having trouble opening this website. I click on the right arrow repeatedly but the video does not begin. The two bars appear that mean pause, then I click again and get the right arrow but no video.

 

[Chris Kerby]

I watched it once but now it says broadcast not found, you didn't miss much but did see the guy & he was asking for any attorney then Jeff drove up the road & got a sheriff & then followed him & then Jeff said he seen the guy getting apprehended & then he said he was getting outta there & left.

 

[Kyle Brittain]

Hopefully the Periscope video was saved, now that it is unavailable for viewing.

To add to what Chris said above, the guy with the knife was seen walking down the side of the highway in the dark holding his head, which prompted Piotrowski to turn around thinking the man needed immediate assistance. He seemed really out of it as he approached the driver's side window, mumbling rather incoherently in response to questions regarding his well being. Shortly after bizarrely requesting an attorney, you hear a brief struggle before Piotrowski speeds off, obviously rattled by what just happened. He said something to the effect of "in 35 years of chasing tornadoes this has never happened to me!" He stops and tells the first Sheriff he sees about what happened, stating that there was a man about a mile back who appeared to be of Hispanic origin that had grabbed him by the neck and tried to stab him in the chest. He then drives off and his emotions turn to anger, saying things like "I'm friggin' pissed off!" and "I pull over to help someone and this is how they respond!" and "If I had a gun, I would have shot him!" (not actual quotes, but paraphrases based off my recent memory).

His latest tweet says "I was attacked tonight I'm ok the guy was trying to kill me. I hurt my arms from fighting him off of me. I glad I'm alive."

https://twitter.com/Jeff_Piotrowski

 

[Kyle Brittain]

 

[Steve Miller]

There have been several threads here about carrying of weapons, specifically guns. Does this change YOUR mind about carrying while chasing?

 

[John Olexa]

There have been several threads here about carrying of weapons, specifically guns. Does this change YOUR mind about carrying while chasing?

Fair question. I sure would if it was allowed, but it's not in my state. MD Especially being I shoot lightning & mostly out after dark.

 

[Marc R. O'Leary]

I carry. In Colorado it's legal to open carry and car carry without a permit. My local sheriff recommended it after we met a few times while I was out after lightning.

I feel far more comfortable with than without.

I'll be obtaining my CCW this spring.

 

[Keely Connolly]

https://www.periscope.tv/w/1vAxRPpWkwjGl

Action starts around 12:50.

Of all the hazards associated with chasing, this doesn't seem to be one that happens very often!

Poor Jeff. He's such a nice guy who helps so many people.
But there's bound to be a few crazies out there. Just glad Jeff didn't get hurt!

 

[Shawn Gossman]

Very glad he made it out okay. Sad times we live in... I used to pick up hitchhikers just to be a good guy... but you can't do that anymore. Now it is getting too dangerous to make sure someone on the side of the road isn't injured! At least he got away with what could had been a lot worse! Be safe out there folks, apparently, tornadoes are not the only threat!

 

[Jeff Hawkins]

Late to the game here (busy with family issues) but glad to see Jeff's OK. Things like this shouldn't happen to a good guy like Jeff.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I have my concealed carry permit, and I WILL/DO carry anywhere that is legally allowed. I will do whatever I can to protect my well being whether I'm storm chasing or grocery shopping. As we very well have seen by what happened to Jeff, crime can happen anywhere at anytime.

 

[Robert Forry]

If anything it helps to galvanize why I'm getting my CPL...primarily to protect myself and my property. We live and work near Flint, MI so having it and carrying where its legal is just smart. Agree with everything @Jason Boggs says above too. I'm not going to wait for something to happen before I act.

 

[Kyle Brittain]

From my perspective, this turns out to be another major difference between chasing in Canada and in the USA. Having chased here for several years, I haven't had a single moment where I thought my safety - due to another person - was at stake. Sure, gun laws are different here (we don't have anything like the Second Amendment; and people usually only own guns for hunting, not self-defense), but I also can't imagine being attacked by a random person like this in Canada, especially under these circumstances. I guess anything could theoretically happen anywhere, but this whole discussion is quite intriguing to me. If anything, the thought of chasing in the states in spring makes me slightly apprehensive, knowing so many people are armed...I wouldn't want to accidentally piss off the wrong person or something. The only people I see with guns holstered to their belts around here are cops!

 

[Jake Orosi]

There have been several threads here about carrying of weapons, specifically guns. Does this change YOUR mind about carrying while chasing?

I don't carry, and no this doesn't particularly change my mind about it; but I wouldn't blame anyone else if it did change theirs.