Yesterday afternoon a 24-year-old man jumped into action to protect his fellow subway riders, placing a threatening and unpredictable passenger into a headlock. While restraining him, the threatening passenger, a 30-year-old man, lost consciousness and choked to death.
The incident occurred on the northbound F train in Manhattan around 2:30 PM. According to police statements the 24-year-old man only stepped in after seeing the other man making threats towards the other subway passengers and acting erratically.
EMS first responders arrived at the scene at Broadway—Lafayette Street/Bleecker Street station but the man was already unconscious, and they were unable to revive him.
Law enforcement says that the 30-year-old man who passed away had quite a criminal record, including prior arrests for assault, disorderly conduct, and fare beating. No identities have been released for either of the passengers involved in the altercation, but the 24-year-old man was taken into custody by police. Police made no comment as to whether he will face any charges.