Nemr Ibrahim went viral for his bravery in handling a potentially dangerous situation. On February 20, a tow truck driver rescued a 76-year-old man from a violent 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.”
At before 3:30 p.m., he noticed a gray Audi SUV approaching the gas pump at the Shell gas station on the 1700 block of New York Avenue Northeast. He was sitting in his tow truck and looking out the front windshield.
A footage obtained by the network showed the guy going up to the driver while wearing a light-colored jacket. He struggles with him, pushes him, and finally pushes his way inside the SUV before closing the door.
As soon as the alleged thief started the vehicle, Ibrahim opened the door, grabbed the suspect, threw him to the ground, and held him down.
D.C. police nabbed the alleged carjacker for an attempted carjacking shortly after their arrival. According to a police spokeswoman, the suspect was extremely inebriated.
“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 person who was nearly carjacked, thanked the good Samaritan who rescued him, explaining, “I need a knee replacement and knelt down to fetch my cane. I was attempting to maintain my balance. This guy was powerful. He was strong no matter what he was on. I was quite grateful that this guy was in the right place at the right moment.
Gladden’s family contacted Shomari Stone of Fox 5 to identify Ibrahim and express gratitude for his altruistic deeds in assisting a stranger.
Ibrahim’s birthday fell on the same day as the couple’s first reunion since the incident, which took place a week later at Buddy’s Restaurant.
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.”