So much the worse because the death toll could have been far lower if they were.
But depending upon who the perp shot first, he might have left old men and women who didn't have the physicality to do so.
I made that caveat myself. Also, how many other people were in the room other than those that died?
A 45-year-old mother of three, reverend, and high school track coach, Sharonda Coleman-Singleton was killed while attending a prayer group at Emanuel AME Church.
45 year old is not old enough for self defense.
The call to preach came early for Rev. Clementa Pinckney, who was one of the nine victims fatally shot in the attack. Pinckney, 41, is also a state senator in South Carolina.
Obviously, neither is 41.
[*]Cynthia Hurd, a librarian, was killed in the shooting, the Charleston County Public Library (CCPL), confirmed Thursday.
Just because she was a librarian doesn't mean she was unable to rush a reloading perp. Also her age is not given.
[*]Tywanza Sanders, 26-year-old, was a recent graduate of Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, and had most recently been working at a barber shop.
I.e. a strapping young lad of 26.
[*]A 70-year-old sexton, who had worked at the church for more than 30 years, was killed in the shooting, her family confirmed to media outlets.
Sexton?
A librarian, a barber, pensioners and preachers.
Pray tell me who among this group should have led the charge?
Any of them, except really old ones and children could have done it. In the Seattle case I posted earlier the reloading gunman was brought down by a student. The perp is 21 and does not look especially big or strong anyway.