John Fortney has served in the Ohio Senate for more than a decade.
The left wants to politicize the mission of Ohio State University’s Salmon P. Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society and discredit what could clearly be called self-defense.
What is reported and published by the media and special interest groups is focused on the untrained eye and by genuine leftist radicals rushing to judgment.
Within the first seconds of the video going viral, an unknown man, whom I’ll call “Mr. Hoodie,” was hooded and menacingly walking toward Assistant Professor Luke M. Perez inside the building.
Moving quickly or lunging at anyone could be considered a threat, and the person contacted appeared to be Mr. Woody, who is apparently a blogger.
‘gentlemen. Hoodie is lucky, he’s standing up
I have a background in Krav Maga and self-defense.
One of the first things we learn when assessing a threat is to read body language. Is the person in front of you moving slowly towards you in a non-threatening manner, or is the person in front of you exhibiting aggressive behaviors and habits, including lunging at you.
In this case, “Mr. Hooded” was not only aggressive, but he was in the professor’s personal space, holding a DSLR camera that appeared to have a microphone that could be used as a weapon. What else could he carry in his pocket?
The professor had one second to act, and he reacted reasonably, defending himself and those who may still be in the classroom.
Another view: Ohio State University professor must pay for crazy attack on photographer
In a practiced manner, he removed what Mr. Woody was holding and brought him to the floor. After the threat ended, he let him go. It looks a lot like the exercises we practice in Krav Maga. However, some of the guys I train with make sure Mr. Woody doesn’t get up.
These “clowns” are a threat
In firearms training, we learned about the 21-foot rule. For example, if someone with a knife, hammer, or baseball bat is within approximately 21 feet of you, and your handgun is holstered, that threat can cover that distance before you draw your gun and fire. That’s how dangerous this situation is.
The professor acted reasonably and ended the threat.
How did Mr. Woody and friends get into the building in the first place? Credible media outlets are easily identifiable, but these clowns are not.
Last year, Charlie Kirk was assassinated. Federal law enforcement officers are targeted every day by those who threaten and take videos of them.
Elected officials at the Ohio Statehouse have also received repeated threats. Let me make this very clear: safety and security must come first. We must remain vigilant.
The professor made the right decision.
John Fortney has worked in broadcast newsrooms as an anchor and political reporter for 25 years. He served in the Ohio Senate for more than a decade.
John Fortney has worked in broadcast newsrooms as an anchor and political reporter for 25 years. He served in the Ohio Senate for more than a decade.
This article originally appeared in The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State University professor defends himself against photographer | Opinion