Surveillance video caught the moment a New York City pedestrian — whom the U.S. Department of Justice dubbed a "good Samaritan" — bravely body-blocked a gun-toting suspect running from NYPD officers last week, which led to the suspect's arrest.
Image source: YouTube screenshot
What are the details?
The DOJ said 39-year-old Jason Fleming entered a crowded bodega in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood Thursday after a verbal dispute; he then stood in the doorway and flashed a handgun as a girl was leaving. The DOJ said the girl ran from the store, and video shows Fleming outside the bodega pulling back his coat to reveal a rifle that had been slung over his shoulder.
After a witness called 911, police officers approached Fleming — and he took off running down a sidewalk, the DOJ said.
While running, Fleming brandished a semiautomatic carbine rifle, which frightened civilians who began running away from him, the DOJ said.
Fleming then threw the rifle over a fence, the DOJ said, adding that officers who recovered it discovered the firearm was a loaded semiautomatic Hi-Point carbine:
Image source: Department of Justice
After ditching the rifle, the DOJ said Fleming brandished a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver and continued running down the street from pursuing officers who also were on foot.
'Good Samaritan' saves the day
The DOJ said a civilian stood in Fleming's way and pushed him into a nearby fence and then held on to him until police officers placed Fleming under arrest and handcuffed him.
Image source: YouTube screenshot, composite
“As alleged, the defendant illegally brandished two loaded firearms in broad daylight on a Manhattan street, one of which was a carbine rifle, frightening numerous New Yorkers, including a child," U.S. attorney Damian Williams said. "Thanks to our law enforcement partners and the heroic efforts of a Good Samaritan, the defendant was apprehended before he could hurt anyone, and his weapons are now off the streets.”
Fleming was charged with possession of firearms after a felony conviction, the DOJ said, adding that the charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
VIDEO | Good Samaritan catches armed suspect fleeing police in Manhattan, New York
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