Nemr Ibrahim went viral for his bravery in resolving a situation that could have easily been disastrous. On the afternoon of February 20, the tow truck driver saved a 76-year-old man from a brutal carjacking and robbery in the Northeast.
Ibrahim told FOX5 “I feel better now. I saved somebody’s life. So, I feel better now,” adding that he stepped in because the victim was an older guy, and he felt he “had to do it.”
He recounted seeing a gray Audi SUV coming up to the gas pump at the Shell gas station on the 1700 block of New York Avenue Northeast at around 3:30 p.m. while he was seated in his tow truck and staring out the front window.
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The suspect, wearing a light-colored jacket, could be seen running up to the driver in a video that the network obtained. He struggles with him, pushes him, and then pushes his way inside the SUV before slamming the door.
As soon as the alleged thief turned on the vehicle, Ibrahim swiftly opened the door, grabbed the suspect, tossed him to the ground, and held him down.
The accused carjacker was apprehended by D.C. police for attempted carjacking shortly after they arrived. According to a police spokesperson, the subject was highly intoxicated.
“One God, one life,” Ibrahim, who was still shocked by the incident, said. “When my time is coming, I’ll go, but I have to save the older guy.”
Charles Gladden, the 76-year-old senior citizen who was nearly carjacked, expressed gratitude to the good Samaritan who rescued him, elaborating, “I’m in need of a knee replacement and knelt down to get my cane. I was trying to keep my balance. This guy was strong. Whatever he was on, he was strong. I was very thankful this guy was in the right place at the right time.”
The family of Gladden later contacted Shomari Stone of Fox 5 in an attempt to locate Ibrahim and offer thanks for his selfless actions in assisting a stranger.
Ibrahim’s birthday coincided with the pair’s eventual get-together a week later at Buddy’s Restaurant, marking their first reunion since the incident.
Gladden conveyed his sincere appreciation, adding, “I wanted to thank him in person in a different setting than the one that we met in. just wanted to tell the brother that I was glad that he was there for me and just thank him and show my appreciation … Let him know that we’re bonded and that he’s my brother now.”
