Subway rider fights back after 'much bigger' passenger slaps him in face, sends his glasses flying



Alexander Rakitin told the New York Post he's been commuting from Brooklyn to Manhattan on the subway for almost three decades — but in the last couple of years he's noticed the danger factor increase.

“I think everyone who takes the subway feels scared and nervous,” Rakitin, a father who works in finance, told the Post. “There’s a degree of nervousness all the time. Scanning my surroundings, seeing irate, angry people. People just not following the rules, antisocial behavior, criminal behavior, and aggression.”

'Everybody that gets on the subway in the morning knows they're going down into a dangerous place. That's just the reality we live in.'

Rakitin experienced all of that dialed up several notches earlier this week in a dangerous encounter captured on cellphone video.

Just after 8:30 a.m. Monday, Rakitin was aboard the N train when another passenger became upset, WABC-TV reported.

The Post noted that Rakitin, 42, accidentally nudged the knee of 34-year-old Timothy Barbee.

"He's being aggressive that apparently I sat too close to him, even though I wasn't in an adjacent seat," Rakitin told the station. "It's just he felt that's his personal space, and he was being very aggressive. I told him to just chill out. Like, just chill. It's 8:30 in the morning. Just going to work. Nobody needs this. Just chill out. And he just escalated."

Video shows the pair jawing at each other with apparent expletives when Barbee tells Rakitin to "make me chill" and repeatedly orders him to "shut the f*** up." Rakitin tells Barbee that "you started it," and the pair stare each other down.

With that, Barbee tells Rakitin, “I ain’t got time to go to jail today" and to "stop staring at me" — and then slaps Rakitin in the face, causing Rakitin's glasses to fly off his head.

Rakitin told WABC that while he's had previous encounters on the subway, this was the first time it escalated into physical violence.

But Rakitin said he fought back.

"I got on top of him, and I just grabbed ahold of him," he told the station. "And I was thinking, like, 'Just don't let go because he's much bigger than me.' I don't know what's on his mind, so I was just holding him until the cops came."

Rakitin added to WABC that Barbee started calling out for help. What's more, Rakitin told the Post that Barbee — and other passengers — actually began telling Ratikin to let Barbee go.

“The only way I can explain it to myself is that the people that saw it start, how it started, they just ran away," Rakitin told the paper. "Most people just ran away into a different train car. And then the people that didn’t see it start only paid attention when I wrestled him to the ground.”

The Post said Barbee was arrested after the train pulled into the next stop; he was charged with third-degree assault. WABC said Rakitin wasn't seriously hurt.

Barbee declined to comment on the incident after his Tuesday arraignment, the Post reported.

"Everybody that gets on the subway in the morning knows they're going down into a dangerous place," Rakitin told WABC. "That's just the reality we live in."

You can view WABC's video report here about the incident. The Post's video shows the argument, the slap — and then Barbee being led off the train in handcuffs.

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Concealed-carrying food vendor in Chicago serves up lethal dish for thug who pulls gun on him



A Chicago food vendor who was carrying concealed fatally shot a male who pulled a gun on him Friday night.

Chicago police told WLS-TV the shooting occurred in the South Austin neighborhood's 300 block of South Central Avenue just before 9 p.m.

'Good outcome. The robber won't be turned loose on the street by the useless court system to reoffend.'

The male approached the 35-year-old food vendor, and a brief struggle ensued, police told the station.

Police said the male pulled out a gun, and the food vendor — who has a concealed carry license — also took out a gun, WLS reported.

In an exchange of gunfire, the male who approached the food vendor suffered multiple gunshot wounds to his body, and he was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, the station said.

The Cook County Medical Examiner identified the male who was killed as 34-year-old Demitrius Manning, WLS noted.

The food vendor was shot in his right arm, and he was taken to Stroger Hospital in good condition, police added to the station.

Police told WLS the incident is being investigated as an attempted robbery and that there were two guns at the scene.

How are people reacting?

Individuals posting comments under the WLS Facebook post about the incident seem to be squarely in the food vendor's corner.

  • "Great news this time around," one commenter wrote.
  • "Thank goodness he was able to protect himself," another user noted.
  • "Good," another commenter said. "[People] are tired and starting to fight back."
  • "We need more of this," another user declared. "Good guys and girls with guns. Only way to stop bad people with guns."
  • "Good outcome," another commenter stated. "The robber won't be turned loose on the street by the useless court system to reoffend."
  • "I’m so glad the food vendor is OK," another user said. "We should all buy from this hard-working person. He deserves a medal."
  • "He better not have to go through a trial," another commenter wrote.
  • "Hell yeah love this!!!" another user exclaimed. "Stop messing with [people]."
  • "Score one for the good guy," another commenter opined.

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Scary, shirtless thug caught on video trying to sexually assault vape shop worker near midnight — but she bravely fights back



A terrifying scene was recorded on surveillance video earlier this month as a shirtless male posing as a customer at a Florida vape shop tried to sexually assault a woman working behind the counter around midnight.

The brave woman not only fought back, but also she appeared on camera for a WTVJ-TV report on the incident to encourage other females who go through what she endured to speak up and speak out without shame.

'I want every girl to know what happened to me, so that if they ever go through something like that, they are able to speak up and just know that it's not their fault.'

The male entered the Miami Springs shop around midnight Nov. 9, near closing time, and the station said he appeared friendly at first, asking the female clerk questions.

But soon surveillance video caught the moment when the shirtless male very slowly walked around the counter opening and toward the woman behind the counter; she backed away.

He then grabbed both of her wrists and began walking backward, dragging her away from the counter. She resisted as best she could and begged him, "Please get away, sir!"

But the male was significantly taller and stronger, and WTVJ said he dragged her into a back room and put a shirt over her face.

"He was trying, once again, like I said, touching my [expletive], trying to pull my pants off, and I was just asking him not to do it, please not to do anything to me, and fighting back," the woman told the station in the aftermath.

Her fighting back included a moment when she grabbed a toilet plunger and began beating him with it, as her screaming grew louder.

The attack ended back in the main part of the store, video shows, where the male is seen letting the woman go and fleeing from the store.

"The only thing I had in my head, once again, was that I didn't want to ... get raped," the woman told WTVJ. "I just wanted to try to save myself as much as I could."

The station noted that anyone with information is asked to call Miami-Dade Crime Stoppers at 305-471-TIPS.

"I want every girl to know what happened to me, so that if they ever go through something like that, they are able to speak up and just know that it's not their fault," the woman added to WTVJ. "It’s not your fault that you have to go through something like that and that there's people like him out there."

You can view a video report here about the attack.

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Security guard fatally shoots male who held gun to his head, threatened to kill him; prosecutors say guard won't be charged



A security guard fatally shot a male who held a gun to his the back of his head and threatened to kill him two months ago in Aurora, Colorado — and prosecutors on Monday said the guard acted in self-defense and won't be charged, KUSA-TV reported.

Police responded about 9 p.m. Aug. 31 to a report of a shooting outside a 7-Eleven in the 12000 block of East Colfax, the station said.

'He did his job, and he defended himself in the process.'

Prosecutors said Vernon Dorsey approached the guard, who was walking in front of the store, and placed a handgun to the back of the guard's head, KUSA said. Dorsey ordered the guard to hand over his gun and threatened to kill him, the station added.

KUSA said Dorsey and the guard fought as Dorsey attempted to disarm the guard.

But instead, the guard got hold of his own gun and shot Dorsey in the chest, KUSA said.

When officers arrived, they found Dorsey with a gunshot wound, the station said, adding that Dorsey later died. Dorsey was 36 years old, KUSA said in an earlier story.

The District Attorney’s Office and the Aurora Police Department agreed after reviewing evidence that the guard fired his weapon in self-defense and was legally justified, KUSA said.

Anything else?

The station said the guard was taken to police headquarters and questioned and that police at the time believed the guard was acting in self-defense.

The private company that supplies the guards for 7-Eleven — Iron Spear Protection Group LLC — said in a statement at the time that it's backing the guard in question with "absolute certainty" after reviewing the incident, KUSA reported.

Iron Spear's president stated at the time of the incident that the guard was in good condition and with his family, the station added.

How are observers reacting?

Commenters under KUSA's Facebook post about the incident were solidly behind the guard's actions:

  • "Good work, sir, here is a raise," one commenter said.
  • Good," another user added. "He did his job, and he defended himself in the process."
  • "Happy ending feel-good story!!!" another commenter exclaimed.

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Girl, 8, fights would-be kidnapper who entered her bedroom wearing clown mask in middle of the night, cops say



Police in Colorado said an 8-year-old girl fought a would-be kidnapper who entered her bedroom wearing a clown mask in the middle of the night last week.

Sterling Police were called around 2:30 a.m. Oct. 15 to a home on Walnut Street for a reported home invasion and kidnapping attempt, KUSA-TV reported, citing an arrest affidavit.

The victim's mother told police the suspect was in her home the previous weekend to help install a washer and dryer.

The suspect entered the home sometime between 1 and 2 a.m., the station said, adding that police said the suspect likely entered and exited through the back door, which may have been unlocked.

The victim told police the suspect came into her room, put a blindfold over her face, and grabbed her out of bed, KUSA reported. The affidavit says she started fighting back, after which the suspect hit her on the head, leaving her unconscious, the station said.

When the victim woke up, she ran into her mother's room to tell her what happened, KUSA said.

The suspect was wearing a cloth clown mask during the assault, the station said, citing the affidavit. The mask, along with a pair of gloves, were left in the child's room, KUSA noted.

Police said the suspect also took the victim's phone, the station reported. The affidavit says location data from the phone was used to help identify the suspect, according to KUSA.

The suspect — 56-year-old Thomas Gallegos — lives in the neighborhood, the station said, citing the affidavit. The victim's mother told police the suspect was in her home the previous weekend to help install a washer and dryer, KUSA reported.

Gallegos was taken into custody Saturday on suspicion of the following charges, police told the station: first-degree burglary, second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, and child abuse.

The next court appearance for Gallegos is set for Nov. 4, KUSA said.

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DC bartender fights back against 3 teenage wannabe carjackers — and wins: 'I work too hard for what I have'



A Washington, D.C., bartender fought back against three teenage would-be carjackers over the weekend and won the battle.

Randy White's reason for mixing it up with the young crooks? "I work too hard for what I have," he told WTTG-TV in the aftermath.

'I can't give up my property like that. It's not in me. I wasn't raised that way.'

The harrowing ordeal took place around 6 p.m. Saturday after White pulled into a Sunoco gas station on 9th Street NW, the station said.

He parked his Jeep Grand Cherokee — and noticed three teenagers standing nearby, WTTG said, adding that White didn't think much about their presence. That would soon change.

White walked into the gas station's convenience store, made his purchase, and returned to his vehicle — and the station said surveillance video showed the trio attacking White. He told WTTG they demanded his belongings.

Nothing doing.

The surveillance clip shows White fighting back, at one point throwing a right-handed haymaker at one of the crooks.

But he told the station one of the suspects managed to put him in a choke hold and pull him to the ground. What's more, White told WTTG one of the suspects dropped a rifle magazine — which police confirmed.

Then White's car keys fell out of his pocket, and one of the teens grabbed the keys and two of the suspects jumped into White's Jeep and tried to drive off, the station said.

But White refused to give up or back down, WTTG said

This time he got into his Jeep with the crooks and continued to fight them, the station said, after which they gave up and departed from the scene — and without the victim's Jeep.

Witnesses quickly called 911, WTTG said, adding that while the teens took White's key fob, it has since been replaced.

So what compelled White to fight back?

"Where I grew up, it's just … I work too hard for what I have," he told the station. "I can't give up my property like that. It's not in me. I wasn't raised that way."

White also sent a message to his attackers, telling WTTG they should "figure something else out to make money. Stop hurting people. It's kind of ridiculous."

Authorities are asking for the public's help in identifying the suspects, the station said, adding that those with information are encouraged to contact D.C. police.

You can view a video report here about the incident; it includes the interview with White.

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Popeyes employee stabs customer in self-defense after dispute over food order, police say



A Philadelphia Popeyes employee stabbed a customer in self-defense after an argument over a food order turned physical late Tuesday night, police told WPVI-TV.

Police told the station the incident took place just before midnight in the 6000 block of North Broad Street; officials noted to WPVI there were roughly eight employees in the store at the time.

Police said the employee so far isn't being charged.

"The 28-year-old customer had some sort of dispute with employees over a food order and began attacking and assaulting one of the employees," Chief Inspector Scott Small of the Philadelphia Police Department told the station. "Other employees intervened and tried to push this 28-year-old out — back out from the front door. That's when the 34-year-old employee getting assaulted and attacked pulled a knife and stabbed the 28-year-old."

WPVI reported that the male was stabbed multiple times in the torso and head.

The male ran away after the stabbing, but police told the station they followed a blood trail to a nearby house where they found him. WPVI said the customer was taken to a hospital where he's in stable condition and in police custody

The Popeyes employee remained on scene and was cooperating with detectives, the station said, adding that police said the employee so far isn't being charged.

Police added to WPVI that the entire incident was recorded on surveillance video.

How are observers reacting?

Commenters underneath WPVI's video posted to YouTube appeared incredulous — and sometimes sarcastic — over the incident:

  • "Not only is fast food bad for you, these days it can be fatal," one commenter wrote.
  • "Over fried chicken," another commenter noted. "Let that sink in."
  • "If I got the honey mustard sauce instead of the spicy buffalo like I ordered, I'd be pissed off, too," another commenter quipped.
  • "I understand you got to defend yourself, but this is just crazy," another commenter stated. "Arguing over a food dispute."
  • "U can’t make this s**t up," another commenter declared.

- YouTube youtu.be

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Gutsy motorist faces down gun-toting carjacker, gamely fights back against thug with his bare hands



A gutsy motorist faced down a gun-toting carjacker in Maryland earlier this week and successfully fought back with his bare hands.

Anne Arundel County Police said a male brandishing a firearm approached a 32-year-old man around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at a Marathon gas station in the 5700 block of Ritchie Highway in Brooklyn Park and demanded his car keys. Brooklyn Park is about 20 minutes south of Baltimore.

'Good. Fight back against thugs.'

Police said the victim initially complied but then quickly rushed the suspect, causing him to fall backward, after which the suspect's gun discharged.

The bullet struck the windshield of the victim’s vehicle, police said, adding that the suspect then fled the scene on the back of a black moped another unidentified person was driving.

Officers conducted a search of the area but couldn't find the suspects, police said, adding that the victim did not report any injuries.

Northern District detectives are investigating and request that those with information to contact 410-222-6135 or the Tip Line at 410-222-4700.

How are observers reacting?

Commenters underneath WMAR-TV's Facebook post about the incident seemed please with the motorist's actions:

  • "Good job," one commenter said. "Tired of criminals terrorizing people."
  • "Good," another user declared. "Fight back against thugs."
  • "Outstanding," another user exclaimed.
  • "The question is: WHY does the average citizen have to even deal with this level of crime???" another commenter wondered.
  • "The wrong 'leaders' and legislators are in office," another user wrote. "The Constitution states that we have a right to protect ourselves, but we also have the right to feel reasonably safe. Maryland residents are being failed miserably and gaslighted."

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Armed 17-year-old carjacker rolls the dice, promptly meets his match when victim pulls his own gun and opens fire



An armed 17-year-old is in "grave condition" after police said he pulled a gun on a man sitting in his vehicle early Tuesday morning in the Baltimore neighborhood of Canton, WBAL-TV reported.

The would-be carjacking victim and the teen exchanged gunfire outside a car wash off South Haven Street, police told the station.

'I mean, it's always shocking, but it seems as though this is a consistent pattern with what's been happening lately with carjackings in the district. Carjackings are up.'

Police told WBAL the 31-year-old victim flagged down an officer around 2 a.m. on Boston Street saying he'd been shot. Police said investigators believe the victim was shot five minutes away on South Haven Street, where he was sitting in his car before the teen walked up to him armed with a gun, the station said.

Police said the victim grabbed his licensed handgun, and he and the teen exchanged gunfire, after which the teen was unresponsive, WBAL reported, adding that police haven't said whether the teen acted alone.

Medics took the man to a hospital for treatment, according to WBAL's news radio station.

Around 2:20 a.m., police were called to the South Haven Street location and discovered an unidentified male — later confirmed to be the 17-year-old — suffering from severe gunshot wounds, the news radio station said.

Emergency medical personnel were dispatched, and the teen was taken to a hospital in critical condition, the news radio station added.

Those with information about the incident can call police at 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 866-7LOCKUP, WBAL said.

"I mean, it's always shocking, but it seems as though this is a consistent pattern with what's been happening lately with carjackings in the district. Carjackings are up," Arch McKown — vice president of Baltimore Police Department Southwest District Community Relations Council, a liaison between his neighbors and police — told WBAL.

City police data shows carjackings have increased 1,000% since this time last year — from just one reported in the Southeastern District in 2023 to 11 in the same time span this year, WBAL said.

In August, a 16-year-old female driver was shot during an attempted carjacking, Baltimore police told WBAL. Police said the girl and two of her friends were seated in the parked car in the 5100 block of Levindale Road around 7:20 p.m. Aug. 3 when a masked assailant approached them, flashed a gun, and "demanded the occupants get out of the car," the station said. Police told WBAL that the girl immediately reversed the vehicle and was trying to drive away when the assailant shot into the car, striking the teen. Police said she was taken to a hospital, the station said.

- YouTubeyoutu.be

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Homeowner shoots break-in suspect with arrow — and instantly intruder is in no condition to continue caper



A crossbow-wielding Michigan homeowner fired an arrow at a break-in suspect and successfully thwarted the early Tuesday morning caper.

Monroe County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a home in the 4500 block of Huron Street in Frenchtown Township just after 12:30 a.m. after receiving a report concerning a home invasion in progress, WLNS-TV reported. The municipality is about a half hour southwest of Detroit.

'Well, he definitely got the point not to ever do that again.'

The call to authorities indicated two people broke into the home that was occupied by two residents, the station said.

One of the residents shot one of the intruders with an arrow, after which the other intruder fled, WLNS noted.

The intruder who was shot — a 32-year-old male — was taken to a hospital to remove the arrow and undergo surgery, the station said, adding that he was in police custody while he recovers.

Police arrested the other male intruder — a 41-year-old — shortly after the incident and was being held in the Monroe County Jail, WLNS said.

The station said police won't release the identities of the males until they are arraigned.

The sheriff's office said the incident is not believed to have been a random act and appears to have stemmed from a prior altercation between those involved, WLNS said.

How are observers reacting?

Commenters under the station's Facebook post about the incident seemed happy about the outcome:

  • "GOOD!!! Stop breaking the law a-hole," one commenter wrote.
  • "He’ll ya. Get r done," another user declared.
  • "Sounds like somebody F'd A & found out ...." another commenter noted.

Another group of commenters under WXYZ's Facebook post about the incident expressed similar sentiments:

  • "FAFO you decided someone else's property was more valuable than your life the moment you crossed the threshold," one commenter stated.
  • "I love a happy ending," another user wrote.
  • "Well, he definitely got the point not to ever do that again," another commenter quipped.

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