Braunstein May Be in the Midwest

Residents at the West 24th Street apartment building where a woman was attacked by a man posing as a firefighter on Halloween were given a self-defense lesson yesterday. But the Daily News reports that only a dozen residents showed up for the free class offered by the building's owner. In the meantime, the NY Sun says the NYPD is investigating whether or not prime suspect Peter Braunstein, a journalist who worked with the victim and has a history of bizarre behavior, may be in the Midwest. His mother, though, said, "I would be very surprised to hear he had friends anywhere."

Gothamist highly recommends taking self-defense classes. There are many self-defense classes, and one way to find out about some is to contact a local YMCA or YWCA to see what they offer.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on December 1, 2005 8:19 AM

Comments [rss]

anyway

Well, I'd tell anyone, young women in particular, to take a self-defence class. I'd also say not to try to fight it out with an armed combatant, no matter how extensive your training, and most experts repeat this advice. It is very dangerous to try to disarm a gun wielding assailant, and only slightly less dangerous to take on a knife. Even with training, the unpredictability of dealing with the kind of person who would attack a stranger makes for unforseeable situations. Basically, don't resist an armed thief. Do what you must against an attempted murderer or rapist.

Laren

Not true. I have taken a class specifically designed to learn how to fend of an attacker armed with a knife or gun. See www.prepareinc.com -- but you have to take the basics class first.

j.j.

silly Jen continues with her self defense advocacy, get real, once a gun gets pointed at someone...good luck!

MT

Did anyone read that article in NY Magazine this week about this case? Aside from the lurid description of life inside a publishing company (which was SUCH an exaggeration) I thought his parents came off as kind of wierd and opportunistic. I can see his father suddenly popping up alongside Joe Simpson on Extra and Page 6.