Defensive Gun Use: Neighbor Intervenes in Apartment Shooting

Three men were shot in a bizarre incident at a Las Vegas apartment complex the night of Tuesday, March 30. It appears to involve a defensive gun use.

According to Metro statements and news articles, it looks like two men got into a physical fight after an argument. A third man, described as a witness, was present. When one of the men involved in the fight drew a gun and shot the other man in the fight. The witness left at some point and came back with a gun. A short gunfight ensued. It is not clear if the witness was injured, but also he did shoot and kill the gunman from the fight. 

Two men are dead. It appears to be the first shooting victim from the fight and the gunman from the fight. At least two of the men knew each other. Metro is saying in its Twitter statement the witness came out of an apartment, making it sound like he intervened. 

So the witness who did not save the first victim's life, did stop the shooting. The witness apparently had better aim than the gunman as the gunman died at the scene while the victim from the fight died later at the hospital.

A shooting like this brings up some questions. First, it is legal to use engage in defense of a third person as if it were yourself. 

Should you intervene? I'm guessing that the three knew each other, or at least the witness knew the victim. Intervening in a violent situation is a choice each of us must make. What can we live with? If someone was attacking my friend, I'd defend them too. But a random neighbor? Is it worth the legal and mortal risk to yourself? Even armed good Samaritans get hurt.