A husband and wife in St. Louis brandished an AR-15 and a handgun as a group of Black Lives Matter protesters walked past their home in a wealthy gated community over the weekend.
The incident sparked national and international interest, including an ongoing debate within the pro-gun community about armed self-defense.
Video of the altercation emerged on Twitter showing Mark McCloskey, 63, holding an AR-15 and his 61-year-old wife, Patricia, holding a small handgun. The McCloskey’s claim that the group trespassed on private property by entering their community, and while the bulk of the protesters were peaceful, they observed two individuals threatening violence.
“My clients, though, had to deal with comments that were from two individuals that were perpetrating these acts of violence and, not charging, but coming toward them and doing so in a fashion that was threatening, menacing, and in a fashion inconsistent with the Black Lives Matter message,” the McCloskey’s lawyer, Al Watkins, told Fox News.
Mark McCloskey, who along with his wife works as a lawyer, was more vivid in his descriptions.
“A mob of at least 100 smashed through the historic wrought iron gates of Portland Place, destroying them, rushed towards my home where my family was having dinner outside and put us in fear for our lives,” McCloskey told KMOV4.
“This is all private property. There are no public sidewalks or public streets,” he continued. “We were told that we would be killed, our home burned and our dog killed. We were all alone facing an angry mob.”
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Protest leaders claim that they did not smash the gate, and a video on Twitter appears to show people walking through the gate while it was still intact. It is not clear when the gate was destroyed.
Rasheen Aldridge helped lead the protest, and he doesn’t believe their trespass on private property is relevant.
“Just like in many disobedient protests, even in the 60s, you break laws, make people feel uncomfortable. We’re not doing anything where we’re hurting anyone or putting anyone in danger,” he told KMOV4.
The incident sparked a minor controversy in the pro-gun community as well. Several “Ken and Karen” memes made the rounds on social media poking fun at the couple for their dress, appearance, and obvious unfamiliarity with safe firearm handling.
SEE ALSO: Female Homeowner Shoots, Kills Home Intruder Who Had Been Casing Her House for Hours
Other gun owners criticized the memes and argued that the couple should not be ridiculed for defending their property with firearms. YouTuber Mrgunsngear reported that he received harsh criticism and even death threats for a video he posted making fun Mark McCloskey.
Missourians enjoy a broad castle doctrine that allows residents to use deadly force on anyone unlawfully on their property, according to Anders Walker, a constitutional law professor at St. Louis University. It is unclear whether protesters trespassed on the McCloskey’s property, but they are not allowed to be in the gated community, Walker told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner issued a statement on Twitter voicing her “alarm” at reports stating that “peaceful protesters” were met by “guns and violent assault.” She vowed to “use the full power of Missouri law” to hold those accountable who threatened the protesters.
So far, no charges have been filed against the McCloskeys. Stay tuned. Looks like this case is just heating up!
the soros supported city attorney got her ass kicked and as well she should. she could not see anything wrong with the blm crowd had no business on this private property and i praise the home owners for standing their ground!!!
You know what really amazes me, is the way people can get caught up in opinions of one piece of fact in a case such as a person having their finger on the trigger of a gun and decide whether the person was right or wrong in the case, when having your finger on the trigger of a weapon is nothing more than a suggestion of how to handle a weapon. It is not a LAW! Until you pull the trigger, you have properly handled that firearm and as they say, everyone has an opinion. That’s also why I’m quite certain the McCloskey’s attorney’s would NEVER let a jury decide any criminal charges, because jurors want to let their FEELINGS and OPINIONS guide their judgement instead of the law. Any attorney worth his retainer would try the case to a judge and get his acquittal if it even made it to trial before dismissal.
I would like to know why this so called prosecutor has totally ignored the pictures of the armed blm members pointing weapons at the McCloskey couple? Or does that just not fit her agenda? Seems to me this prosecutor likes to apply the laws to suit her feelings on the current popular left leaning politics rather than the law of the land or constitutional rights. She certainly picks and chooses who these laws will be applied to. I wonder if that’s based on gender, race, or political affiliation? Either way, seems a non-feasance, mal-feasance indictment should be in her future.
Nice mansion, dude. Love the pink Izod shirt, too. With your AR and your bozo wife waiving handgun, you are a great advertisement for responsible gun ownership.
In context, large mobs of people shouting obscenities and threats, carrying signs and visibly angry were (and are) all over television/social media looting, breaking glass, burning and destroying private property. While eating supper on your porch, suddenly dozens of loud, masked brutes breach the gates protecting your property and swarm forward toward you…who wouldn’t think that violence was their intent and react defensively?
(quote)”St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kimberly M. Gardner;… vowed to “use the full power of Missouri law” to hold those accountable who threatened the protesters.” (end quote)
What about so-called “protesters” who threatened others with and committed violence and were involved in rioting and looting?
I haven’t heard of any action of justice against all those! Where is justice for the victims, many of whom were neighbors and supporters of the communities in which they were attacked and businesses ransacked. Many of whom were also Black. Many too were of other minority races. Or don’t their “… lives matter” either?
Finger on the trigger. A danger to herself and society.
Good for them all like minded people should plan and come to their aid when need form your own militias!
I am so proud of this family! They show more guts than the police! I wish they were my neighbor! Lock and load! You have the right to protect your property! I hope America took note on how great these two were. Be ready! Be prepared!
This whole episode is a dream scenario for gun grabbers, BLM, and Democrats as a whole. RIch whites in a huge house in a private gated community feeling threatened because they saw black people and immediately pointing guns at them – and not just any guns, but a “Military assault rifle with a 100 round clip” type of BS attached to it. Expect to see this in Biden’s campaign ads as much as you see Biden melt down with the gun owning autoworker in Trump’s ads.
And it points out the dichotomy ( and it should for gun owners as well) of rich whites that get gated communities (usually with their own private security), have connections to be allowed to own guns, and can threaten people with guns and face no consequences (even though “brandishing a firearm” while no clear and eminent danger is present is a crime in most states) while black people would be arrested first and get to prove their innocence later, all while the masses have to live in run down crowded neighborhoods and without (in many areas) the ability to protect themselves as thanks to gun laws, they can only rely on the police for protection, and if police see them with a gun they might be shot or arrested and questions asked later. It is a propaganda dream for democrats and BLM. And ironically points how different gun ownership and use is treated. So it is a dream for socialistic side as well – the wealthy can retreat into their private enclaves while the masses suffer. Makes the US look rather like Brazil where the wealthy live in walled gated communities with private security and even travel with private security and ignore the problems of 90% of their populations that is subject to high violence and crime rates.
We will be seeing this AT LEAST until November. These two played right into BLM’s hands and gave them a perfect media clip. I was always taught you don’t START the gunfight, but make sure you can finish it if it turns into one. with their careless handling, one accidental shot and situation would be even worse. Not like this couple could have really done that much if they got rushed anyway. It was a dumb, privileged display, exactly what protestors and gun grabbers wanted someone to do. Have the guns ready absolutely, stand in your doorway with them behind the door readily accessible with arm’s reach. Don’t play into the propaganda machine.
And pink Polo’s for men went out of style in 80’s com’on man…
In my little suburban american dream… I have a fence for my dogs.
So, I guess I live in a gated community of sorts also.
In any context, if you walk through my gate uninvited in a show of intimidation… you should expect to be met by me ( What is this “brandishing” b.s.) and the ability to stop ALL of you.
“Rasheen Aldridge helped lead the protest, and he doesn’t believe their trespass on private property is relevant.”… which other right will they decide is not “relevant”… my life, liberty, or pursuit of happiness?
Those idiots going outside to shoot people for trespassing. And lawyers to boot. They’re so lucky no shots were fired ’cause they’d be in jail and rightly so. They should be charged with brandishing. The case is open and closed. Love her capri pants!
Brandishing saved their property and maybe their lives . Their God given right this Marine says lock and load and if the aggressors don’t stop put one in their chest. And if i’m ever on the jury they want be found guilty!
Notice where the muzzle of his firearm is pointed!! EGADS!!! His poor wife if his finger slips on the trigger……
In all of the pictures I have seen, the man was handling the AR safely. (With his finger off the trigger.)
the only thing that I see wrong is I would give my wife a Hi-Capacity 20 Ga. auto shotgun. I would rather she have 10 rounds of 00 Buck Shot than 5 rounds of 38 Special.
Remember: Always keep your bugger digger off the trigger, until you are ready to shoot.
NRM/ Maxgun56/ NRA-RSO
Since there are cameras everywhere, isn’t it odd that so many news outlets are reporting that this couple were threatened and “feared for their lives” when there is no evidence so far to support that.
In the old days we used to call such “reporting” agenda driven propaganda and dismiss it. Today this is common–though this particular article seems honest above the rest. JWC
The entire incident must be taken in context. St Louis had been rocked in the prior week with riots and burning of businesses by gangs of anarchists. These protesters set out in this upscale neighborhood to intimidate it’s residents and cause unease. They accomplished their goal and in doing so McCloskey responded. If the Saint Louis officials had done their responsibility in putting those riots down, then those “protesters” wouldn’t even have been in a private gated neighborhood. McCloskey will be found not guilty of he were given a jury trial.
The way they are holding their weapons is a clear picture that they are not trained, but that doesn’t matter in this situation , because they are protecting themselves ,their property and their dog ! I would ask them to get a little training in the future , just to be better prepared , I think they are very brave people for doing what they did. If someone comes trespassing in my yard I would like to think I would do the same thing , but I lost all of my guns in a boating accident , all I have left is my bb gun !
Re: “….that doesn’t matter in this situation”…with her finger on the trigger and what appears to be several instances of muzzle sweeping the back of her husband while waving her pistol back and forth, I’d say not only does proper firearm handling matter in this situation but every situation where an unintentional pull of the trigger could instantly result in injury or death. Based on the videos I’ve watched, the two of them were as much, if not more of a danger to each other than they were to the protestors.
These far right people did more to damage gun owner rights than all the anti-gun money ever spent by Bloomberg. Video’s don’t lie and it showed the truth that the protesters did nothing they were accused of. The one thing the Far Right hates with a passion and that is the 1st Amendment, everyone must march lock step to their far right agenda and give the stiff armed salute, yet the Far Right constantly screams about Second Amendment Rights. You either believe in all of the Constitution or none of it there is no pick and choose.
What? Do you mean that the Law is a categorical either/or? But I thought it was an American Tradition that we could cherry-pick the laws that we like the most, and interpret the others away. Isn’t that the American Way?
PS concerning another comment above, it is true that the Right have their pet areas where they are more than happy to limit the First Amendment. For example they don’t have the wit to see that the principles that the Flag represent are categorical and insofar allow for that very flag to be burned in protest when what goes on behind it is a violation of everything it stands for! But this is elementary and only dummies can’t see it.
But also the Left, as we see on many college and university campuses today, people are willing to limit any speech that they don’t happen to agree with–and do it in the name of “openness!” Frankly, in a head-to-head fight, I would put the dunces on the Left up against the dunces on the Right and give them good odds!
But in all of this we must remember that, whether Left or Right, these dunces are products of our factory system of “education” and are simply not qualified for citizenship in the American Republic as defined by the Laws upon which the Republic was founded. After all, our teachers are products of the same system they perpetuate, aren’t they? JWC
You’re are absolutely right my brother!! I’ve been trying to tell people this forever……our system is designed to pit us against one another we fight and argue while the politicians fuck the country up right under our nose. WE THE PEOPLE RUN THIS COUNTRY NOT THE GOVERNMENT!! But until the masses see the slight of hand trick, we all will continue to be divided.
Vlad … If you weren’t there, you don’t know how much of the situation was on the videos played on the TV ‘news’ channels. Aside from that, most of what you wrote is ridiculous. I’m guessing that if you lived in a gated community, major areas of the city around you had been burned out, and a large group of people broke down your gate and swarmed toward your house you wouldn’t be out in the front yard welcoming them in. Also, your comments about the “Far Right” are ignorant and just plain wrong.
Careful, your bigotry is showing.
You are obviously Far Left, and a hater, so do us all a favor and go elsewhere.
BTW, they are NOT “far right”, they are YOUR buddies, and contributors to many Left Wing PAC’s.
You’re such a doorknob.
Vlad, The McCloskeys are Liberal BLM supporters who became afraid there life long investment in there property was going to be destroyed by the mob. The radical left always devours the stupid Liberals first.
No People like you want to ruin this country. I love this country. I KNOW WHAT I WOULD FIGHT AND DIE FOR,
WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DIE FOR? You talk about the 1st Amendment, well what about the peoples right to privacy and the right to feel safe in their homes? Who gave the protesters the right to INVADE these people’s
private property and to threaten them?
THERE IS ONLY ONE RESPONSE TO GD RIOTING GHETTO TRASH SCUMBAGS!
PULL THE TRIGGER TILL IT GOES CLICK… RELOAD AND START OVER!
AMEN…….
These two may be the biggest flaming liberals, I don’t know, but I defend their right to defend themselves!
I’d do the same. Come on to my property. You’ll stay here.
Hmmmm…what the McCloskeys are really saying is that the entire community beyond their home is their private property. Interesting concept. They probably are a shareholder community maintenance fee payer–but that’s a very fuzzy line to claim it’s their private property. I’m scratching my head wondering what the difference is between what they did and say what happens if I walk by somebody’s house and they perceived I was a threat–for whatever reason–and brandished deadly weapons right on me.
Do you really think that us what the McCloskys are saying?
Do you know this? How about, “We are neighbors and we watch each other’s back” instead? If you think anybody can see anybody, not a family member waltz right in, and despite the noise, not be alarmed, you went too far to the left in your logic. Or, you never had to physically defend what you worked for, and I hope you realize would be illogical reasoning.
I usually just read these comments, smile and shake my head. I’m not even sure what good it does to respond. But this comment was just SO asinine, I couldn’t remain silent.
First, they didn’t claim it was their property, just that it was private property. And in light of the recent burning and looting, a mob unlawfully entering a private gated community would be cause for alarm. Simple logic.
And if you have to wonder what the difference is between someone walking past your house, and an angry mob busting down a gate and pouring into a private neighborhood, then you are probably not qualified to have an opinion or to tie your own shoes.
Finally, standing in your front yard armed is not unlawful. No shots were fired because no one came onto their property. Only words were exchanged; threats from the mob. All-in-all, a pretty good outcome.
You may return to your regularly scheduled SJW training.
is that after you smashed through their security gate?
EVEN WITH ALL THE SCUMBAGS MAKING THREATS ON HOME LIFE LIMBS AND DOGS, THEY DID NOT PULL THE TRIGGER. NOT SURE I WOULD HAVE HAD THAT MUCH GUN CONTROL. LOL>
Protestor Beware WE will protect our Home
The authorities are considering Aggravated Assault charges against the couple. Being that there were Blacks among the “protestors,” you know they’ll try to hang a “hate crime” charge on that, as well.
This is what America has “fundamentally transformed” into under the “leadership” of the Progressive-Socialists, their lapdogs in the media, & the Republican colluders. Unless these bastards are stopped cold, the future does not bode well.
I will never understand why anyone that breaks the law, thinks that there will be no consequences to their actions.
One of the mob members, Rasheen Aldridge, stated, “just like in many disobedient protests, even in the 60s, you break laws, make people feel uncomfortable. We’re not doing anything where we’re hurting anyone or putting anyone in danger.” Really, property was destroyed and the mob was shouting threats while trespassing so a law abiding couple responds by defending their lives and home. Too bad if the mob was made to feel “uncomfortable.” And BTW, that was NOT civil disobedience.
The amateur display of gun non-safety. They should take up positions and never point the weapons at the back of their own team mates. Always point down range at the target.
Another observation: The BLM masters herding around their white stooges. LOL
What are they protesting anyway. Don’t lives of all color matter the same? Why don’t whites for example protest when a cop kills a white girl, one that has no record and isn’t breaking the law, one that isn’t fighting with law enforcement. Come on it is about wanting to get away with what they do and act the way they do when they get caught up in their actions both past and present.
One thing for sure if they come on my property they will be met with weapons and I am experienced.
Rasheen Aldridge helped lead the protest, and he doesn’t believe their trespass on private property is relevant.
Well of course. CRIMINALS don’t think any laws are relevant. And yet the Liberals pass laws disarming the HONEST LAWBIDDING citizens! Are the Democrat leaders really this stupid or are they just playing dumb for their dumb voters?
Training aside, it should be spread that Americans will defend what they’ve worked for. I think it’s great that these criminals should have great concern about being shot by legal gun owners where the weapon “just might go off”. After all, they’ve created the situation and there just might be consequences.
This is a gated community they live in. The protestors passed the the gate. That is a criminal act! Now they our heading to Mr. pink polo’s home. Yes he has the right to defend himself & his family becuase the protestors show no reguard for the law (not to mention was the protest premmited in that locaction which is a 2 crime).
Lack of training is not a crime. He followed the law but the protestors did not. WHO IS IN THE WRONG?????
Crimes= Mr. Pink Polo-0, Protestors-2
Power to the people who stand their ground against this type of violence.
Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to destroy property or trespass…
I fully support the couple’s right to do what they did. What shocked me was the total lack of basic gun control training. The wife crossed her husband’s body several times with her muzzle and pointed at the crowd with alarming stupidity. These people are not right wing extremists, they are just really dumb home defenders. Train!
Against a “mob”, not the best defensive position, either.
It could have gone bad 18 different ways.
Yeah, I would have at least stood by the door with a few more stairs between myself in the mob and left the wife on the area that looked like a balcony with a small wall like area but fortunately they were safe.
When they broke thru the gate which said private community ( Private Property) plus have a sign No Trespassing this was no longer a peaceful protest. Missouri has Castle Doctrine with NO duty to retreat. Which means you can defend yourself and property with deadly force if necessary. These were criminals and should be charged with a Criminal Trespass, destruction of private property and inciting panic to name a few. They should of stood outside the gate with signs and verbal rambling, that would be a peaceful protest. I don’t see we’re the couple was wrong and no charges filed against them but the mob of people should be arrested and charged.
Jack is exactly right. Regardless of poor gun safety or clothing, we as Americans must protect and defend what is ours.
Wake Up Prosters! Look Around You. In America, we are the Luckest SOBs in the World. Stop your protesting and be thankful for what you have. Or Leave. No one makes you live here. Your free to leave. Others will gladly take your place, and be thankful, to live here.
This World Owes No One Nothing, but the very air you breath!
As many law enforcement professionals that said, you cannot deputize civilians and expect them to act as regular police persons because they do not have the training. This is a recipe for disaster and a grandstanding attacked by a moron. Show me one liberal who has brandish a gun. all of the terrorist acts committed in the United States are either foreign actors or homegrown, right-wing terrorists.
During the week of 6/14/2020 to 6/20/2020 in Chicago 99 people were shot, 19 homicides. I have a sneaky suspicion in every one of those instance a gun was brandished by a liberal. Need more examples, Karen?
Quite a broad brush, Larry. It’s evident you “see”only what you want. And, evidently you have little regard for private property. Those troublemakers are fortunate. And you should stop being a “Ken”.
Soooooooo you didn’t watch any of the videos of CHOP in Seattle with their armed guards made up of the Liberal finest??? Hey, they were holding those scary black guns the liberals hate!!
That is what you get when you watch CNN or BSMBC!!!
I guess you did not see those Black Panthers standing at the voting places during O’Bamas run for DOTUS brandishing their weapons. I am pretty sure the were not conservatives! I think what scares ya most s there are some of us that WILL stand up to BULLIES. MOLON LABE
Always be suspicious of anyone who speaks in absolutes. More violent crimes occur regularly in inner cities of which of the top 10… 9 have been D strongholds for decades… Please try to be remotely factual. It will help with your credibility.
Ohhh and one more thing… They are Democrats that support BLM…and why don’t you check in on the kind of cases that they take on… hint hint … some involve suing law enforcement.
I am starting to really appreciate this clown named “Larry.”
So just a recent sample we have the following;
Connor Betts left wing anti Police
Micah Xavier Johnson BKM
Andrew Engeldinger reg. Dem.
James Hodgkinson shot Reps playing softball
Adam Lanza reg. Dem.
Jared Loughner reg. Dem.
Seung-Hui Cho reg. Dem
Wrong again Larry
DEBUNKED
As for the liberal brandishing a gun, #1 Uncle Joe says to just shoot your 12 gauge through the front door and that will make the bad guys go away, #2 there were those goons in the CHAZ / CHOP in Seattle who were wandering around with AR’s and pistols and killed a couple young black guys, #3 there have been several cops shot by rioters lately. Is that enough? And just for entertainment I’ll give you my opinion: the way I understand the situation about 96% of the terrorist acts in the U.S. have been committed by liberals like the guy in Fort Hood, or Nicholas Cruz who shot up the school. The sad part is that these rioters are allowed to commit crimes and walk off all proud of themselves. If it were a conservative they’d have the SWAT team out there in about 2 minutes and put an end to it. But because those in control of these cities support the liberals who are rioting they order the police to let them burn down peoples businesses.
Well Gee, why no mention of the left wing terrorist organizations such as ANTIFA and BLM?
I guess the thousands of assaults and billions of dollars in property damages, and yes, even several murders perpetrated by them, apparently are not acts of terrorism, right?
finally, someone with an actual castle to defend
Thanks, my LOL of the week!
For weeks we’ve heard protesters are coming to the suburbs to”get whats ours” basically burn and loot. The McCloskeys display of weapons, was textbook, how not too, and seemed like a really fast way to get yourself killed, could I have done better? maybe. Given their affiliations the whole thing sounds a little fishy. There is no mention of the protest shootings in Colorado and Utah by BLM one also by a lawyer/protester claiming he was defending his wife from being run over.
I am a strong supporter of and believer in the righteousness of the Castle Doctrine… If someone is attempting to force their way into your home, you shouldn’t have to ask a single question before you start shooting at them.
I am much more skeptical of the “stand-your-ground” legal principle because it seems to encourage violence even when it is totally avoidable. I listened to a detailed interview with “G.I. pink polo joe” here and he specifically stated that this crowd of trespassers was not even focused on his property until he specifically drew their attention by yelling at them from his property that “y’all are trespassing and need to leave”… So nobody was actually on his specific property when he initiated this confrontation.
I think everyone involved in this situation should feel very fortunate this situation didn’t escalate any further than it did!
Given his stated affiliations, my guess is this was staged to control the narrative, they entered thru a gate on his property. Stand your ground in a confrontation means you aren’t required to retreat, turn your back on an assailant, back up tripping and falling, etc. placing yourself in greater danger
The common area in a gated community is private property as such. Monthly association dues are collected to pay for that common area and liens can be attached to property if those dues are not paid. Where were the authorities if the call was made for assistance? Was there collusion between the mob and authorities?
Mr Ricky, I live in a gated community where we own our own roads and all property inside the gate. Any one who is not a member of the HOA or their guest is a trespasser. Not one cent of Government money has ever been spent on our streets or maintaining them. Our Gates are there for a reason. Anyone who breaks our Gate or enters our property will be met with swift justice. We have no police or deputies to defend us. But we will defend what is ours!
I assure you, no one will step aside, and let protesters enter. Regardless of their number.