LA - Mickey Shunick, 21, Lafayette 19 May 2012 - #26

[Northside neighbor]

So this is my personal opinion from my perspective and from my entirely different part of the country:

First, MS bike route via googlemaps around the Versailles/St. John area shows a city-like area. It is a semi-tired, seen-better-days area. Sorry folks, but it is. It doesn't get any better near the Circle K with a lot of small side streets with houses looking like 1930's shacks. Sorry, but it's true. There does not seem to be a lot of re-building, new buisnesses or money going into that area. You guys don't see that, really? If this is normal America then we have a problem. There is a feeling of slight despair in general in this area. Not safe, no jobs, gangs, and drugs.

Second, then the route goes into a much more rural area, wide open with a lot of barns, shacks, etc. It has to be very scary at night with so much open space.

Don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings who has an emotional, sentimental attachment to the Lafayette area but I'd get the heck out of dodge.

The area by the circle k has alot of rent homes, its a college area, UL is a few blocks away. But there are many beautiful older homes, large & small in the area. Its considered to have lots of character I actually rode through the area yesterday killing time, just to site see. Lots of beautiful landscaping & cute decorated porches

 

[pjcitizen]

Actually, Lafayette was ranked #1 best city for job growth based on enoloyment Bureau of Labor Statistics (New Geography, 2012); Best MidSize City for Jobs, Most Increasing Household Income, Top Place to Live (Relocate America, 2011); Fastest Economic Growth, Best Performing Metro, and Most Optimistic City (Gallup, 2012). You were viewing the area right outside of downtown and hasn't been revitalized mainly because theres just businesses, an historical Cathedral, jail, etc.; and isn't a great reference for you to make such judgements. Your entitled to your opinion though. One thing I don't like about Lafayette is there LE! Seems like there's a problem year after year with those guys. Then now, the timing of their stupid allegations against the Administration is worthy of getting rid of those 10 troublemakers. I comment on them out of fear for my
Safety. Their timing was extremely poor when deciding to move forward with their suit - so poor I can have no empathy for them and am outraged that they have not even told the public - take all precautions until we find out who did that to Mickey, or don't loose sleep over this, etc. I wish Joey would
just clean house and get a whOle new department!

Don't forget, most importantly, Southern Living's Tastiest Town in the South! Heehee just kidding. http://www.southernliving.com/travel/souths-tastiest-towns-lafayette-00417000076970/

 

[ATasteOfHoney]

Now back to MS....

Does anyone know if they searched with dogs the bleacher area where it says "Ragin Cajun" near the football stadium/stands? Does anyone know how well they were checked for small evidence possibilities?

 

[StacyMarie83]

RE: .I just wonder how often a woman actually has the chance to utilize her skills if attacked unawares -

John Albert Gardener; predator/sk, was identified as a poi in the abduction of Chelsea King & Amber Dubois(CA), partially due to one of his attempted abduction victim's martial arts skills. She escaped his wrath and was able to provide a sketch for LE.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TheLaw/am...led-chelsea-kings-suspected/story?id=10045235

Yet, Meredith Emerson (GA), who was martial arts trained, fought her abductor and actually got the best of him until he convinced her that he only wanted her ATM cards.

Meredith Emerson Fought Hard to Survive
http://crime.about.com/b/2008/03/24/meredith-emerson-fought-hard-to-survive.htm

The ages are all different in those cases and IMO that has A LOT to do w/ everything. Amber was 14---no fighting chance. She could of kicked, screamed, poked, and prodded (maybe she did) to no avail w/ her attacker, chelsea was only 17, a runner w/ a very tiny frame---she probably weighed as much as amber. I believe she would of had no fighting chance either. Kids in highschool, IMO, do not take anything seriously, honor student or not. Until we get our YOUNGEST of women into defense classes, give them better protection, tell them their intuition knows best, help them know their neighbors, and the list goes on forever.

Meredith had a lot more life experience, age wise and especially w/ her training.

It's very, very scary out there. I live in a very small town and we didn't lock our doors when I was little (I'm 28 now). We also have a Starved Rock State Park in our town where a murder of 3 women happened years ago, they arrested the wrong guy (IMO and the townfolks) and it still haunts our locals. I have a 5 year old daughter myself and we do go to starved rock alone. I bring mace and a knife---but I also watch my whereabouts, do not take the lower trails (b/c it's not heavily traveled), follow my intuition. I just don't want females to be held down b/c it's a scary world out there---just be smart.

 

[pjcitizen]

The area by the circle k has alot of rent homes, its a college area, UL is a few blocks away. But there are many beautiful older homes, large & small in the area. Its considered to have lots of character I actually road through the area yesterday killing time, just to site see. Lots of beautiful landscaping & cute decorated porches

Second this. Not every area of a city needs to be the same or new construction. This is a very small part of town and I wouldn't call it rural simply because it has a field that takes less than a minute to drive past. It is isolated in that immediate area, but not rural.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

So this is my personal opinion from my perspective and from my entirely different part of the country:

First, MS bike route via googlemaps around the Versailles/St. John area shows a city-like area. It is a semi-tired, seen-better-days area. Sorry folks, but it is. It doesn't get any better near the Circle K with a lot of small side streets with houses looking like 1930's shacks. Sorry, but it's true. There does not seem to be a lot of re-building, new buisnesses or money going into that area. You guys don't see that, really? If this is normal America then we have a problem. There is a feeling of slight despair in general in this area. Not safe, no jobs, gangs, and drugs.

Second, then the route goes into a much more rural area, wide open with a lot of barns, shacks, etc. It has to be very scary at night with so much open space.

Don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings who has an emotional, sentimental attachment to the Lafayette area but I'd get the heck out of dodge.

A lot of older people in this state who have made it 'out of the 1930's era'; who still remember life without cars, and who have worked very hard to rise up by the bootstraps LIVE HERE AND LIKE IT. It has an illusion of safety; halfway between cajun cultural roots and nice city life. For a LOT OF people who have not grown up in the generation that 'assumes everything - capitalism, longevity, etc' it is a desirable place to be.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

I think so. I havent heard anything else about them searching and havent seen them

A.C.I. How can the dogs get no scent on MS at Whiskey bay or Lafayette?

 

[Cortne]

Still thinking of you Mickey.
Please let today be the day.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

 

[A.C.I]

A.C.I. How can the dogs get no scent on MS at Whiskey bay or Lafayette?

They don't have magic noses with an on/off switch. If MS was never taken to WB then there would be no scent. If the bike (the only piece of evidence found there) was wiped down it would have no scent. There's not much for the dogs to pick up on because IMO they were brought in to search too late

 

[concentric]

RE: .I just wonder how often a woman actually has the chance to utilize her skills if attacked unawares -

John Albert Gardener; predator/sk, was identified as a poi in the abduction of Chelsea King & Amber Dubois(CA), partially due to one of his attempted abduction victim's martial arts skills. She escaped his wrath and was able to provide a sketch for LE.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/TheLaw/am...led-chelsea-kings-suspected/story?id=10045235

Yet, Meredith Emerson (GA), who was martial arts trained, fought her abductor and actually got the best of him until he convinced her that he only wanted her ATM cards.

Meredith Emerson Fought Hard to Survive
http://crime.about.com/b/2008/03/24/meredith-emerson-fought-hard-to-survive.htm

----------------

Thank you for showing two contrasting outcomes for persons with the martial arts training. I know these cases well; one difference is that Meredith either complied because of the ATM card story, or was forced into the vehicle. Specialists will tell you that once a victim goes from crime scene (1) - in this case the walking path, to crime scene (2) - the vehicle, the control has shifted.

http://crime.about.com/b/2008/03/24/meredith-emerson-fought-hard-to-survive.htm

He said he calmed her down by telling her that all he wanted was her credit card and PIN number.

He finally managed to get her back down the trail and he put her and her dog Ella into his van. For the next three days, Emerson bought herself time over the next three days by giving Hilton the wrong PIN numbers.
--------

Also, I agree with the poster above, who said smaller women could be more easily overpowered. I believe the woman who escaped Gardner had a larger frame, and could fight him off more effectively.

 

[ATasteOfHoney]

A lot of older people in this state who have made it 'out of the 1930's era'; who still remember life without cars, and who have worked very hard to rise up by the bootstraps LIVE HERE AND LIKE IT. It has an illusion of safety; halfway between cajun cultural roots and nice city life. For a LOT OF people who have not grown up in the generation that 'assumes everything - capitalism, longevity, etc' it is a desirable place to be.

My point of saying my opinion on the probable bike route of MS (Versailles Blvd, St. Landry, St. John, over University, etc) is not to insult anyone but just to remind people to be safe.

Sometimes a town or city changes right under your nose 'cause you get used to living there and can't see the changes because they happen so slowly. You have an unsolved murder in Lafayette. Please be safe and I'm sorry if I sounded insensitive. I don't develop sentimentalities to geographic regions but I understand many do.

 

[saralsim]

Keep in mind too, that this is a residential area NEAR CAMPUS - lot's of students and young adults that live in this area, IMO. Lots of areas in Lafayette where there is obviously plenty of money being invested. I do get what you're saying, but to me, that area doesn't look any different than it does around LSU, or any other LA university. IMO

So this is my personal opinion from my perspective and from my entirely different part of the country:

First, MS bike route via googlemaps around the Versailles/St. John area shows a city-like area. It is a semi-tired, seen-better-days area. Sorry folks, but it is. It doesn't get any better near the Circle K with a lot of small side streets with houses looking like 1930's shacks. Sorry, but it's true. There does not seem to be a lot of re-building, new buisnesses or money going into that area. You guys don't see that, really? If this is normal America then we have a problem. There is a feeling of slight despair in general in this area. Not safe, no jobs, gangs, and drugs.

Second, then the route goes into a much more rural area, wide open with a lot of barns, shacks, etc. It has to be very scary at night with so much open space.

Don't mean to hurt anyone's feelings who has an emotional, sentimental attachment to the Lafayette area but I'd get the heck out of dodge.

 

[PeggyAnnMcKay]

Precisely! In a street fight, particularly a fight for survival, you have to be a vicious animal. Go for the eyes. Punch in the throat. Palm to the nose. Kick out their knee caps. And obliterate their balls.

It's also very useful to learn various grappling techniques (and they usually teach you these in self defense classes) like how to escape certain common holds. Such as being grabbed from behind, being grabbed by the hair, your wrists being grabbed etc. Learn how to escape such holds easily while maintaining balance, and then use the force and momentum to go on an offensive rampage until you can get away

All true, but the main thing to remember, decide in advance what you are willing to do. If you cannot get your head around seriously damaging or killing your attacker, then go with some other approach. If you decide to fight, have no mercy, go for maximum effect, eyes, balls, vital organs, whatever. If you fight back, your object is to incapacitate your attacker, whatever that entails. Just be mentally prepared to take any action available and required to stop and disable your assailant. No mercy, no respite. Keep going until he can not attack you. It is not something you want, but it is the only course of action that may ensure your survival. Sorry to be blunt, but if it is life and death, do whatever you need to do, or submit and take your chances that way. Your life may depend on it.

Thank you both for these posts! I have to be honest - even though I know that self-defense techniques have the potential to save my life, I don't know whether or not I could follow through with hurting someone with my bare hands. First off - I'm not very strong, second off, I can't stand the thought of hurting someone. In the face of danger, that's crazy right?

So Towerguy thank you for pointing out that we need to come to terms with what we're willing to do.

We are a southern, gun-toting, military, NRA kind of a family. My husband and boys have quite the array of guns, and my kids have all been trained from a very young age on gun safety. I am the only female in our house, (except for my dog and a few cats) and I am a bit terrified of guns.

But I would MUCH rather get a concealed weapons permit and carry a handgun for protection than do hand-to-hand combat.

Who knows what Mickey had the opportunity to do - there are so many scenarios. She could have been tasered, or she could have put a serious hurtin' on her attacker(s)...no way to know at this point. But I do think it is important (especially as women) that we are mentally prepared for situations. Because clearly...they do happen.

 

[ATasteOfHoney]

Keep in mind too, that this is a residential area NEAR CAMPUS - lot's of students and young adults that live in this area, IMO. Lots of areas in Lafayette where there is obviously plenty of money being invested. I do get what you're saying, but to me, that area doesn't look any different than it does around LSU, or any other LA university. IMO

Saralsim: What would make you think I'm comparing this Lafayette area with anything regarding campuses in Louisianna? I am looking at it without emotional sentimentality, from an entirely different geographic perspective, and from a very macro level. And my opinion stands--->but posted only to remind people to be safe.

 

[concentric]

I was talking to a man who has taught martial arts for something like 20 years. His opinion was that these limited-time self defense courses are of little value when a small woman is attacked by a 200 lb. man, for instance.

 

[Foxfire]

As we have all witnessed the LA community's amazing folks uniting, coming together for this cause, and the generous outpouring of volunteers, to search and spread awareness and love for Mickey Schunick & her family, while sacrificing their own responsibilities. It is neither constructive, nor helpful to alienate the Lafayette community's spirit & pride by focusing only on the negative.
Abductions happen in all corners of the US, but the community response in Mickey Schunick's abduction is an anomaly.

 

[ATasteOfHoney]

As we have all witnessed the LA community's amazing folks uniting, coming together for this cause, and the generous outpouring of volunteers, to search and spread awareness and love for Mickey Schunick & her family, while sacrificing their own responsibilities. It is neither constructive, nor helpful to alienate the Lafayette community's spirit & pride by focusing only on the negative.
Abductions happen in all corners of the US, but the community response in Mickey Schunick's abduction is an anomaly.

Foxfire--I am not insulting anyone and this is the type of emotional response that I am trying to warn people against. I am trying to be constructive by telling people to be careful from a different pespective.

Be careful----that is it and nothing more

 

[liltexans]

I was talking to a man who has taught martial arts for something like 20 years. His opinion was that these limited-time self defense courses are of little value when a small woman is attacked by a 200 lb. man, for instance.

I think that's probably true, but they will probably also talk about personal safety and offer some practical advice about how to keep yourself safe. There are many things a person can do to reduce her risk of being attacked or targeted.

 

[slowlybutshelly]

...let alone not leaving so much as a single shred of biological or material evidence anywhere along her presumed path.

I find it completely baffling that dogs did not pick up MS scent in Lafayette or in WHiskey Bay where the bike was dropped. That alone say to me the PERP 1. planned this 2. knew how to not leave a trail behind because he has done this before.

And I fear for MS life because this is probably a very experienced BAD A... repeating PERP.

and to think of this person being local is just too hard to contemplate.

Which leads me to a self defense question: How can one ensure one's scent and trail is left behind IN case it ever happens to me?

 

[liltexans]

I find it completely baffling that dogs did not pick up MS scent in Lafayette or in WHiskey Bay where the bike was dropped. That alone say to me the PERP 1. planned this 2. knew how to not leave a trail behind because he has done this before.

And I fear for MS life because this is probably a very experienced BAD A... repeating PERP.

and to think of this person being local is just too hard to contemplate.

We don't know if the dogs picked up Mickey's scent in Whiskey Bay or not. Just because LE hasn't told us they did, doesn't mean they didn't. It seems that LE has focused a lot of the search efforts in and around Whiskey Bay. Maybe that's just because the bike was found there, or because it's a known dumping ground, or maybe it's because the dogs did catch Mickey's scent there.