Las Vegas family faces tough questions after mom killed in shootout inspired by road rage [View all]

[iscooterliberally]

LAS VEGAS — What police first described as the road rage-inspired killing of an innocent mother of four has morphed into a more complex scenario, prompting tough questions and a backlash against her family.

Tammy Meyers, 44, was shot in the head in her Las Vegas driveway shortly before midnight Thursday after confrontations that began when she was giving her 15-year-old daughter an after-hours driving lesson and the girl honked at a driver she felt was speeding, police said.

Those facts haven't changed, police Lt. Ray Steiber said Tuesday at a news conference, where he noted that the mother's life-support was disconnected on Valentine's Day, and insisted that she alone is "our victim."

But the fatal shooting turned out to be a two-way shootout, provoked by a separate encounter with unidentified assailants, after Tammy Meyers roused her son, Brandon, from bed to grab his gun and go looking for the driver she had encountered earlier, Steiber said.

"I would never say that anybody went looking for trouble," Steiber said when asked to characterize their five-to-10 minute drive through the neighborhood.

"It is our job, Steiber added, "to ensure that everyone is safe, regardless of what our personal opinions are on certain people's actions. They weren't criminal and I'll leave it at that."

The family spoke at a vigil Tuesday night next to the junior high school parking lot where Kristal Meyers got her driving lesson.

"She didn't deserve this," said Brandon Meyers, 22. "I did what I had to do to protect my family. Everyone can think what they have to think. I did it for a reason. And I'd do it for anyone I love."

full story at link:
http://www.startribune.com/nation/292328441.html?page=1&c=y

Please try to avoid road rage. I have gotten caught in these a couple of times in the last 15-20 years. There are a lot of rude drivers in South Florida. If you find yourself being follow by an enraged driver do not go home, or to work. I would drive to nearest police station, or fire station. Find a traffic circle and just go in circles even. I ignore the other driver and keep driving until they get tired of following me. I had a friend of mine wind up with an enraged driver with a gun in his driveway once. He had to call the cops to get rid of the guy, but it was too late. Mr Nutjob knew where my friend lived. Whatever you do, DO NOT do what this woman did. Road Rage is a no win situation. The best outcome is to avoid it altogether. Stay safe out there!