EC Mayor Copeland threatened by gunman while on walk

By Christin Nance Lazerus cnance@post-trib.com December 23, 2011 5:20PM

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland

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Updated: December 24, 2011 2:01AM

East Chicago Mayor Anthony Copeland was threatened by a gunman on his Thursday night walk.

The incident occurred at 10 p.m. next to Johnny?s Meat Market, 3940 Main St., near Copeland?s home.

?I usually go out for a nightly two-mile walk,? Copeland said. ?I used to do it during the day. I was coming back home, when about a block and half from my house, a guy came out of the alley and tried to rob me.?

Copeland said he didn?t break stride as he took cover behind a truck parked on the street. The gunman never broke the cover of the alley, Copeland said.

?I yelled at the top my lungs, ?Are you going to shoot me or what are you going to do?,? ? Copeland said.

The man never responded and instead fled back down the alley.

Copeland called police, and they searched for the man to no avail. The suspect was described as a black male in his 30s, wearing black jeans, a black jacket, a black hooded sweatshirt and a black knit hat. Copeland hurt his shoulder as he took cover behind the truck.

A background in self-defense may have helped Copeland avoid serious injury. Copeland taught self-defense classes for 15 years, and one of the techniques has stayed with him in the years since.

?When I walk and come to alley or any kind of entryway, I always instinctively veer away from it by about five or six feet, in case a car or dog comes out,? Copeland said. ?If I had stayed alongside the building, he would have pointed it at my head or body.?

Copeland said he doesn?t think the man knew who he was. ?It was just a thing of chance and opportunity,? Copeland said.

The situation did leave Copeland a bit shaken, but he?s determined not to change his routine.

?What am I going to be ? a hermit inside my home?? Copeland said. ?It alters you. Will I think twice about taking the route again? Yes. Will I be paralyzed in fear? No.

?Only a foolish person would think it couldn?t happen to them. Any person, any time, any place ? that person could take your life from you. I know that I?m overwhelmed with blessings.?

Source: http://posttrib.suntimes.com/9623998-418/ec-mayor-copeland-threatened-by-gunman-while-on-walk.html

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