⚖️ Overview
On the evening of July 16, 2024, a 7-second bystander video captured the fatal end of a road-rage confrontation at South Emerson Ave & East Thompson Rd, Indianapolis. Gavin Dasaur (29) is seen armed as he advances to a pickup’s driver-side window; the driver fires from inside the cab, killing him. Police detained, questioned, and released the shooter, noting possible self-defense. As of today, there are no credible reports of criminal charges filed against the shooter.
What Happened: The Short Video, The Big Consequences
- Time/Place: ~8:15 p.m., July 16, 2024; E. Thompson Rd & S. Emerson Ave.
- Video Snapshot: Dasaur exits his black Honda, openly carrying a handgun, approaches the pickup, strikes the door and yells. The driver shoots from inside the truck.
- On Scene: Officers locate Dasaur in the roadway; a gun lies near him. The driver is detained, questioned, then released while investigation continues.
- Here is a link to the video. (Warning! Graphic Content!)
⚖️ Why “No Charges” (So Far) Doesn’t End the Story
Indiana’s self-defense law (stand-your-ground / no duty to retreat) allows deadly force when a person reasonably believes it’s necessary to prevent serious bodily injury or death. The video showing an armed approach to an occupied vehicle can support a reasonable-fear analysis, which helps explain why prosecutors haven’t charged the shooter to date.
But:
- Charges can still be filed later if new evidence emerges. Homicide-related offenses typically aren’t time-barred in many states; prosecutors can revisit if facts change.
- Civil court is separate: the family could bring a wrongful-death claim even if criminal charges never appear. (Different standard of proof.)
This mirrors other high-profile cases where no criminal charges were filed, but civil action still followed.
🚫 Ego, Anger, Alcohol — The Triple Threat I Warn About
I’ve said it in class and in past articles: never let your alcohol, anger, or ego drive your decisions when you’re carrying a firearm. In this incident, ego and anger turned a traffic spat into a lethal encounter—and Gavin paid with his life.
- Ego pushes people to “win” the argument. Stepping out armed and closing distance on an occupied vehicle flips you from “defender” to perceived aggressor.
- Anger narrows thinking. Under adrenaline, you don’t negotiate—you react.
- Alcohol (even “just one”) erodes judgment and inhibition. If you’re not stone-cold sober, don’t carry.
🧠 Human Factors: Why It Spiraled So Fast
Under acute stress, fine-motor skills degrade, tunnel vision kicks in, and time perception distorts. You don’t “rise to the occasion”—you fall to your level of training. An armed approach on a seated driver inside a vehicle is easily read as imminent threat; the driver’s defensive shooting aligns with what many attorneys called a plausible self-defense claim in early coverage.
✅ Civil vs. Criminal: Two Different Games
| Type of Case | Who Brings It | Burden of Proof | Possible Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal | State/Prosecutor | Beyond a reasonable doubt | Prison, fines |
| Civil (Wrongful Death) | Family/Estate | Preponderance of evidence (51%) | Money judgment, settlement |
Key point: A person can be criminally justified and still lose civilly. That’s why self-defense insurance isn’t optional—it’s financial survival.
🛡️ Self-Defense Insurance: Protect Your Freedom and Your Future
Even a clean self-defense shoot can cost six to seven figures in combined criminal and civil defense, expert witnesses, lost wages, and potential judgments. The right plan can cover:
- Attorney fees (criminal & civil)
- Bail/bond assistance
- Experts & investigators
- Civil damages/settlements (policy-dependent)
If you carry a gun, you carry liability—legal and financial. Insure both.
Compare Self Defense Insurance Programs
📋 If You’re Ever Involved in a Defensive Shooting
- Call 911: “I was attacked—please send police and medical.”
- Make safe/holster before officers arrive.
- Say little: “I was in danger for my life. This person attacked me, threatened me with a gun, etc.”
- Point out evidence.
- Point out witnesses.
- Verbally Invoke your 5th amendment right. (DON’T SAY ANYTHING ELSE!)
- Call your self-defense insurer.
- Call your attorney.
- Stay offline—no posts, no comments.
🧭 Lessons for CCW Holders & Security Guards
- Disengage first. Survival beats “winning.”
- Never approach an occupied vehicle. Distance = time = options.
- Control your emotions. No ego, no anger, no alcohol—ever.
- Train for stress. You won’t out-think adrenaline without reps.
- Carry insurance. Legal reality is expensive.
Sources & Reporting
- IndyStar (legal framing; 7-second video; time/location). IndyStar
- WRTV (ABC Indy) (ID, on-scene details, gun near victim, detained & released). WRTV Indianapolis
- WTHR 13 (video reports; location; shooter released). WTHR+1
Sign Up For A Colorado Concealed Carry Class or Compare Self Defense Insurance
- 🔫 Colorado Concealed Handgun Classes — Train the law, judgment, and live-fire fundamentals.
- 🧠 Three Things You’re Never Allowed To Do While Carrying — Anger, ego, alcohol destroy good people.
- ⚖️ Compare Self-Defense Insurance Plans — Don’t leave your future to chance.
⚠️ Legal Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Details are based on public reports available as of October 2025. Laws and facts may change.
Always consult a qualified attorney regarding self-defense or firearms laws in your state.
