Watch how people react to a (staged) attempted murder

[rockin'robin]

How would you react if, while waiting for an elevator, the doors opened to reveal two men trying to kill each other?

For many of us, the natural response would be shock and fear. Some would run for help, others would simply run. And then there are the select few who would actually put themselves in harm’s way and try to intervene.

In the following video produced by the creative minds over at Thinkmodo, one such fight was staged to gauge the reactions of everyday people. The video, a publicity stunt, was provided to Yahoo News in conjunction with the upcoming film "Dead Man Down."

On the YouTube account page for “BeatriceRevenge,” the video’s description asks: “What would you do if you walked into a murder in progress? Two guys asked themselves the same question and staged a murder in progress inside an elevator. Hidden cameras recorded people's reactions. What would you do?”

The two-minute video is a fascinating case study in fight-or-flight response. Most people in the video appear to be terrified and flee the scene. Of course, there’s no way to tell if they're simply running away—or running for help.

However, a few braver souls attempt to break up the violence, with one man even brandishing a fire extinguisher. But it’s the final man in the video who provides arguably the most unsettling response of all: He calmly pulls out his smartphone to document the scene while making no effort to get help or put a stop to what appears to be an impending murder.

We all know what we’d like to do in such a scenario. But what do you think you’d actually do?


Watch how people react to a (staged) attempted murder | The Sideshow - Yahoo! News

 

[jonnyghost]

I think people that stage these sorts of things are unethical. Besides the stress they put upon people what if someone had just pulled out a gun and shot the man? That would be a tragic end for everybody.

 

[rockin'robin]

I think people that stage these sorts of things are unethical. Besides the stress they put upon people what if someone had just pulled out a gun and shot the man? That would be a tragic end for everybody.

The question was:..."what would you do"?....And things of this nature happen on a daily basis, like it or not.."unethical or not"....and not staged.......So...you would pull out your gun and shoot the bad guy?....without giving fair warning that you had a gun?....

 

[jonnyghost]

No, I would not get involved. I have a family and my first responsibility is to come home safe for them. I would make sure that if I was with anybody that I got them to a safe location then I would call the police.

I never said I would pull my gun. I'm just pointing out that they are endangering others and that is unethical.

 

[NitroHonda]

I'm just pointing out that they are endangering others and that is unethical.

Correct. If that were me... I might have pulled my weapon.

 

[Jiro]

I'm appalled at the guy at the end of video.... recording it? seriously? go choke yourself and film it while you're at it :roll:

 

[Jiro]

But what do you think you’d actually do?

most likely just stand there for a few seconds to comprehend what am I looking at because I'd be shocked and confused.... and then flip out my 2.5" big blade from my pocket and give him a good prison-style shiv. maybe.

 

[jonnyghost]

Correct. If that were me... I might have pulled my weapon.

And I believe you would be absolutely justified in that situation to do so. To defend yourself and if you so decide, to defend the victim. In this situation it is pretty clear who is the victim, in other situations I would be more hesitant to make that call.

In many altercations it's not clear who is the aggressor. I point this out because many states the law only allows you to justifiably defend someone if the person you are defending was justified in doing so himself. In other words if you misread the situation and attack the wrong person you may be guilty of assault yourself.

 

[Jiro]

I think people that stage these sorts of things are unethical. Besides the stress they put upon people what if someone had just pulled out a gun and shot the man? That would be a tragic end for everybody.

I see that this took place in NYC... which means gun is banned so I wouldn't worry about law-abiding citizens packing a heat.

 

[Jiro]

And I believe you would be absolutely justified in that situation to do so. To defend yourself and if you so decide, to defend the victim. In this situation it is pretty clear who is the victim, in other situations I would be more hesitant to make that call.

In many altercations it's not clear who is the aggressor. I point this out because many states the law only allows you to justifiably defend someone if the person you are defending was justified in doing so himself. In other words if you misread the situation and attack the wrong person you may be guilty of assault yourself.

you're thinking way too much into it. you do not have to intervene. you can just run away and we'll take care of it.

 

[jonnyghost]

While I know NYC has strict gun control laws I also know they issue concealed carry permits to residents and non residents. Although my point was not about the tool used but the action taken. I swift kick to the head could be just as deadly and probably faster to deploy.

 

[Jiro]

While I know NYC has strict gun control laws I also know they issue concealed carry permits to residents and non residents. Although my point was not about the tool used but the action taken.

uh.... no. trust me. no.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg = Founder of Mayors Against Illegal Guns

I swift kick to the head could be just as deadly and probably faster to deploy.

eh I doubt you would do that. why? because you're debating with yourself over who is the aggressor and possible lawsuit if you made a mistake.

that's why I refuse to live in NYC and I would gladly move to Texas though I would miss bagel and pizza.

 

[jonnyghost]

you're thinking way too much into it. you do not have to intervene. you can just run away and we'll take care of it.

I'm not apposed to taking action but my number one responsibility is not to strangers. That's my personal choice and it's not an easy one, my natural tendency is to help people but I have to consider the impact it will have on the people who love me and depend on me if something where to happen to me.

 

[rockin'robin]

If I was carrying at the time...I too would pull out my weapon...but warn the aggressor that I would shoot if he did not stop....And call 9-1-1...if the aggressor would not stop, I might resort to beating him on the head with my gun or my purse, anything to save the victim.

I surely would not just run away and let somebody else deal with it (as some people did)....

One guy grabbed the fire extinguisher...which too, was a good idea....

 

[Jiro]

I'm not apposed to taking action but my number one responsibility is not to strangers. That's my personal choice and it's not an easy one, my natural tendency is to help people but I have to consider the impact it will have on the people who love me and depend on me if something where to happen to me.

that's fine. nobody's asking you or requiring you to help out. you do not need to justify yourself. it's just the way you are and that's fine.

 

[NitroHonda]

that's fine. nobody's asking you or requiring you to help out. you do not need to justify yourself. it's just the way you are and that's fine.

The victim wasn't asking? You saying when someone's slitting your throat you would not be asking for help?

I get what you are saying overall but honestly... it's weak sauce and of poor moral character.

 

[jonnyghost]

uh.... no. trust me. no.

NYC Mayor Bloomberg = Founder of Mayors Against Illegal Guns

My point wasn't the use of a gun but lethal force.

eh I doubt you would do that. why? because you're debating with yourself over who is the aggressor and possible lawsuit if you made a mistake.

You are correct. If it was not clear who was the aggressor I would not attack either. Are you saying you'd just pick one and go for it? And we're not just talking about lawsuits, you could be convicted of a serious crime and spend a long time in jail.

that's why I refuse to live in NYC

Well, we can agree on that

 

[jonnyghost]

What if you where in an elevator when the person riding with you pulls out a rope and attacks you, you struggle and during the struggle you get a hold of the rope and attempt to restrain the attacker with it. That's when the door to the elevator opens and some guy "flip out my 2.5" big blade from my pocket and give him a good prison-style shiv"

 

[NitroHonda]

What if you where in an elevator when the person riding with you pulls out a rope and attacks you, you struggle and during the struggle you get a hold of the rope and attempt to restrain the attacker with it. That's when the door to the elevator opens and some guy "flip out my 2.5" big blade from my pocket and give him a good prison-style shiv"

You'd probably be arrested for interfering with a crime in progress.