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Michigan Woman’s Fearless Face-off Against Armed Carjackers in Parking Lot

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A daring young woman from Michigan recently made headlines for her courageous retaliation against a group of would-be carjackers. The 24-year-old, Rachel Smiglewski, chased down the alleged criminals in her flip-flops, ultimately leading to their arrest.

The episode unfolded in Taylor, Michigan, in the parking lot of a Target store on Pardee Road. The police reported that the incident occurred around 4:50 p.m. on a Monday. Smiglewski was in her boyfriend’s car when the assailants approached her, wearing surgical masks and wielding a gun.

“Something in me snapped,” Rachel Smiglewski stated to local news station WXYZ-TV. Fear and shock initially flooded her, as she grappled with the sudden, violent confrontation. She tried dialing 911, but one of the culprits batted the phone out of her hand and pistol-whipped her, leaving her bloodied but defiant.

‘You just get sick of it, and I’m not going to let anyone do that to me anymore.’

Despite their coercive tactics, Smiglewski, rather than submitting to the criminals, found an unexpected surge of courage. She handed over her car keys as demanded, but an internal switch flicked on. Determined not to be a victim, she resolved to resist and protect herself.

“All of a sudden, something snapped in me and I was like, ‘You know what? No, I’m not going to let this happen to me. This is not going to happen,'” she recounted.

Armed with nothing but her determination, she began to make a scene, yelling for help and slamming her hands on the roof of the car. The spectacle she created was enough to deter the carjackers, who, despite possessing her keys, fled the scene.

“I chased after them. We ran the whole parking lot and I was wearing flip-flops. Then I lost my shoes, so my feet are all cut up,” Smiglewski stated, describing her gritty pursuit.

‘I was back ready to fight all three of them.’

She was prepared to confront the culprits, three scrawny teenagers, as she put it, and fight back. During their escape, one of them tossed her keys back. The carjackers eventually sought refuge in a nearby BJ’s restaurant, where the alert staff notified the police about the suspects hiding in the restroom.

Following this information, the police arrested three teenagers aged between 14 and 18 years old. They also confiscated a 9mm Glock. According to investigations, the trio had originally gathered to play basketball but ended up scheming a carjacking when they missed their bus to Detroit.

When asked about her motivation to resist, Smiglewski expressed her exasperation with being taken advantage of. “I’ve had everybody walk all over me and take advantage of me for years and years. You just get sick of it, and I’m not going to let anyone do that to me anymore,” she declared.

In a Facebook post, Smiglewski, who works as a sandwich artist at Subway, expressed her relief at having survived the encounter. “I fought and won and am so glad to be alive and not shot dead over some car,” she wrote.

Smiglewski’s full interview recounting the incident can be viewed directly on YouTube, following a decision by WXYZ to disable its video for other websites.


What is your opinion on personal safety measures when facing violent circumstances such as a carjacking?

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German Activist Fined After Surviving Brutal Attack at Rally

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In a striking turn of events, a German activist known for his vocal criticism of political Islam has been fined by a regional court, following an attack on him earlier this year. Michael Stürzenberger, an activist with the Citizens’ Movement, Pax Europa, was among those injured during a stabbing spree by an Afghan migrant at an anti-jihad rally in Mannheim on May 31. The violent incident left him with severe injuries, including a stab wound to the thigh and a “gaping open wound” on his face.

Despite these traumatic events, Stürzenberger found himself facing legal repercussions for statements made at a rally in 2020. The Hamburg District Court had initially sentenced him to six months in prison for incitement, a decision that he appealed. Although the sentence was later suspended, the court ultimately upheld the conviction, imposing a fine of $3,804.65.

The charges against Stürzenberger stemmed from his comments on German immigration policy and his critique of political Islam. At the rally, he had pointed out that Muslim migrants from certain regions were disproportionately involved in crimes, and emphasized the need to address the influence of political Islam on women’s rights.

Stürzenberger clarified his stance, stating, “I have always spoken about political Islam. Always said: It is not against Muslims!” He further explained, “My criticism is only directed against the dangerous components of the ideology and those radicals who commit acts of violence as a result of it.”

The activist’s conviction is part of a broader trend in Germany, where individuals have faced legal consequences for expressing concerns about the impacts of mass immigration. This has been a contentious issue, especially as reports indicate a rise in violent crimes linked to immigrant populations.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser recently acknowledged challenges associated with young men of migrant backgrounds, who are often involved in acts of violence. She emphasized the need for effective education and integration programs to address these issues.

The situation has further highlighted safety concerns in German cities, with certain areas becoming increasingly unsafe for minorities. Berlin’s chief of police, Barbara Slowik, advised caution for individuals in specific neighborhoods, particularly those with significant Arab populations.

These developments underscore the complexities and tensions surrounding immigration and integration in Germany. As the country grapples with these issues, the case of Michael Stürzenberger serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between free expression and the need to address hate speech.


How should countries balance personal safety, free speech, and legal rights in cases involving criticism of religious or political groups?

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Clerk’s Quick Reaction Sparks Debate on Self-Defense Rights

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In a recent incident that has sparked considerable debate, a New Orleans convenience store clerk fatally shot a 16-year-old armed robber during an attempted robbery. The event unfolded when two armed individuals entered the store, demanding cash. Surveillance footage captured 16-year-old Cecil Batiz pointing a gun with an extended magazine at the clerk working at the cell phone counter of Sam’s Meat Market.

As the situation escalated, Batiz was seen stuffing cash and other items into his pockets. The other suspect, 18-year-old Teony Juarez, was wearing a black ski mask. As the suspects attempted to leave the store, the clerk retrieved a firearm and discharged it, striking Batiz in the abdomen, causing him to collapse. The surveillance video further showed the clerk stepping out of camera view, only to return moments later and fire additional shots at Batiz as he lay on the store floor. Batiz succumbed to his injuries later at a hospital.

Juarez, in the midst of the chaos, returned fire and sustained an injury to his right forearm while fleeing the scene. An unidentified woman transported Juarez to a hospital, where he was treated and subsequently arrested. Juarez faces multiple charges, including armed robbery, aggravated battery, and illegal use of a weapon, with his bond set at $170,000.

The store clerk has not been charged, and Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino expressed skepticism about the likelihood of charges being filed.
“That clerk was in an obviously high-stress situation and saw the perpetrator still moving with a gun, and it’s hard to second-guess his decision to use deadly force yet again.”

Ciolino also clarified that under Louisiana law, Juarez cannot be charged for Batiz’s death, as the fatal act was committed by the victim, not a co-felon.

Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams refrained from delving into case specifics but remarked,
“Once somebody puts a gun in your face, the rules change.”
He further noted,
“It’s painfully obvious to anyone who saw that video what those two people were doing in that store, and that shop owner did not ask for that exchange.”

Williams, who was elected in December 2020 with support from a PAC funded by George Soros, has recently undergone a shift in perspective regarding crime and punishment. This change came after a personal experience where he and his 78-year-old mother were victims of a carjacking. Following the incident, Williams recused himself from the carjacking case and acknowledged a transformation in his views, even reversing some of his previous campaign promises.


Should store clerks have the right to use a firearm in self-defense if threatened with a gun during a robbery?

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Daring Homeowner Defends Home Against Burglar, Ignites Wild Police Chase

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In a dramatic sequence of events in Sacramento, California, a homeowner took action against a suspected burglar, setting off a chain of incidents that culminated in a high-speed police chase. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office reported the initial burglary attempt occurred around 3 p.m. on Chandler Drive in south Sacramento.

Amar Gandhi, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s department, described the suspect as a “lifelong criminal” with a history spanning over two decades. “Theft charges, gun charges, drug charges — you name it, he’s got everything under the sun,” Gandhi remarked, highlighting the suspect’s extensive criminal past.

The alleged thief, identified as 40-year-old Emelio Correa, attempted to force his way into a home. Despite the family’s efforts to deter him by shouting for him to leave, Correa persisted. Authorities revealed that the homeowner, a legal gun owner, fired at least one shot, striking Correa in the hand. Blood evidence was reportedly left at the scene.

The confrontation left a visible mark, with police investigating a front-entrance window that bore a large bullet hole. However, the incident did not end there.

Correa managed to enter a different residence shortly after. The owner of this second home, Cuong Nguyen, explained that the suspect gained access because the front door had been inadvertently left unlocked. Once inside, Correa found keys on a truck’s front seat in the garage.

Nguyen, who was not present during the break-in, recounted how Correa drove the truck through the garage door, leaving half of it “in the middle of the street” upon Nguyen’s return. This theft led to a high-speed pursuit on Highway 99.

The chase concluded when Correa encountered spike strips near Arno Road, causing the truck to roll into a ditch. He was subsequently taken into custody.

Correa suffered minor injuries and is currently held in Sacramento County jail on a $100,000 bond. He faces four felony charges and is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.

The incident underscores the importance of home security and the unpredictable nature of criminal activity, as even a brief lapse in vigilance can lead to significant consequences.


Should homeowners have the right to use firearms to defend their property against suspected burglars?

Watch a local news report about the incident below:

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