I agree that open carry looses the surprise, however I'm not so sure it made much difference in this case. At 2 AM, approached by a man asking for a light, and close enough to carry on conversation; this guy would more than likely have been robbed no matter concealed carry, open carry, or no carry. I suppose concealed carry might have given him a chance, but a gun up close (in your face) doesn't leave much "wiggle room" and might have gotten him killed.