A good Samaritan helped stop an armed suspect who was brandishing multiple weapons on New York City street in broad daylight.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York, Jason Fleming, 39, was arrested after allegedly brandishing a loaded semiautomatic Hi-Point carbine rifle and a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver after a dispute at a bodega on March 16.
Authorities say Fleming entered the bodega in Manhattans Chelsea neighborhood after a verbal dispute, and stood in the doorway wielding his handgun, blocking a girl who was attempting to leave. The child fled past him.
Fleming then stepped outside the bodega and opened his coat, revealing the rifle. As police approached, Fleming fled down the sidewalk, brandishing the weapons.
Civilians ran away from Fleming, who was still brandishing the rifle, and he allegedly threw the rifle over a fence into a restaurants outdoor seating area, authorities said. Fleming continued running, now brandishing the revolver, with police still in pursuit.
Surveillance video shows a civilian who sees Fleming running running toward him and stands in Flemings way. The good Samaritan “pushed him into a nearby fence and then held onto him until police officers, who were still in pursuit, placed Fleming under arrest and handcuffed him,” authorities said.
Fleming was charged with possession of firearms after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
