Thread.Defensive display and aggravated assault are 2 very different things separated by a razor thin line, as seen here. Ofcourse I wasnt there but the facts as stated in total I'm not sure there was an imminent physical force threat to justify defensive display here but the verbal threats and stepping up would make that so close it would not be charged.
While defensive display may have been let slide here, the pointing of the weapon is the crime. Ofcourse issues like disparity in force could mitigate that, say if the kid was alone and out numbers or disabled etc, that doesnt sound like the case here. The kid and his dad versus one guy with no weapon shown. Ofcourse if the incident progressed with blows to the head the justification changes with the facts.
Aggravated assault is a typical and appropriate charge here. Is it the right charge? The final adjudication? No IMHO.
I think he will end up getting off or with a disorderly conduct deal but needs a good lawyer. Of course he could very well get the full ride felony conviction if he doesn't play cards right.
NOW HAVING FULFILLED THE REQUEST TO LIMIT DISCUSSION TO THE NARROW QUESTION FROM THE OP ....
When you carry you gotta avoid conflict. Getting identifiers like a license plate would be as far as I would go. Even then....thats what insurance is for.
Walking away from conflict IS THE ABSOLUTELY MOST DIFFICULT THING TO DO. Especially for young males and especially when your right. It always makes you FEEL like a coward and comes with adrenaline dumping into you body and makes you have to deal with all the fight or flight emotions on top of it.
Conflict avoidance isnt weakness or cowardice.
Hindsight is perfect vision ofcourse but obviously calling the police and saying the ladies husband showed up is threatening us and here are her licens plate info and we are going across the street to wait on the police so you you have t HF em hurry up before he escalates this situation would have been the best course of action.
From simple incidents to things like this to even physical altercations try your best to avoid your actions being that trigger that takes away your options and justification.
IMHO even defensive display is on shakey ground here. I hope what sounds like a good kid is allowed to learn from this incident and have a life altering felony conviction.