How would she have felt being gang raped while watching her father being murdered? Given the situation, he is unarmed against 5 thugs at least one with a gun, the only way he could help his daughter was by going for help. There was nothing he could do for her by staying when told to leave.
Passing up the opportunity he was given to get her help might have enhanced his street cred in the eyes of internet mall ninjas, commandos and other tough guys, but it could only have made things worse for his daughter.
Put the blame where it belongs, with the 5 thugs and the NYC and NYS lawmakers who deny law abiding men and women the right to protect themselves and their families from armed thugs.
I am not an internet commando nor a mall ninja. For whatever it adds to the debate, I spent 24 years as a police officer, and I know first hand that there are moments in life where you get off the X, regardless of the odds. Yes, the 5 animals involved in this sorry incident are completely to blame, and I acknowledge that the father was not left with any good choices. We will never know what might have happened had dad chosen to stay and fight, so your supposition that it would have made matters worse is no more valid than my supposition that standing and fighting for someone you love would have been better.
I am guided by my code of living, and I would have fought. I am not impressed with internet cowards who can find reasons to justify inaction or cowardice.