This is the moment a good Samaritan takes down a man armed with an assault rifle and a Magnum handgun on the streets of Manhattan on March 16.

CCTV footage of the takedown shows the gunman fleeing just moments after running from a store in the Chelsea neighborhood. But as he gives police the slip, he comes face to face with a have-a-go hero who body-checks him as he runs down the street.

The suspect, who can be seen running with a drawn handgun after having apparently discarded his rifle, made straight for the civilian blocking his way.

As they clash, the gunman is sent flying into a fence. Then as he tries to run off again, he is grabbed by his coat and held until the police arrive.

As officers run into the shot, the suspect -- later identified as Jason Flemming, 39 -- puts his hands up and surrenders. Earlier, the authorities said, Fleming had drawn his weapons in a convenience store after rowing with staff.

Police said that Fleming has been charged with possession of firearms after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The good Samaritan has not been named. The investigation is ongoing.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on said that Fleming had "brandished a loaded semiautomatic Hi-Point carbine rifle and a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver in broad daylight after a dispute in a bodega in Chelsea." The authorities added: "Fleming was arrested after a civilian, seeing Fleming running down the street with a revolver in his hand as police were chasing him, stood in Feming's way and pushed him into a nearby fence and then held onto him until police officers, who were still in pursuit, placed Fleming under arrest."

The statement quotes US Attorney Damian Williams as saying: “As alleged, the defendant illegally brandished two loaded firearms in broad daylight on a Manhattan street, one of which was a carbine rifle, frightening numerous New Yorkers, including a child. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and the heroic efforts of a Good Samaritan, the defendant was apprehended before he could hurt anyone, and his weapons are now off the streets.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo is quoted in the statement as saying: “HSI special agents are committed to public safety and do not hesitate to act when members of the community are threatened. I am proud of our agents’ hard work and efforts with the rapid apprehension of this criminal and the follow-on investigative support provided to the New York City Police Department. HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to our law enforcement partners in the cause of community safety.”

The statement continued: "On or about March 16, 2023, Jason Fleming entered a crowded bodega in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan after having a verbal dispute with a man. Fleming then stood in the doorway of the bodega and flashed a handgun as a girl attempted to leave the bodega. The child then ran away from the store when she was able to pass by Fleming onto the sidewalk. The surveillance video then shows Fleming outside the bodega and pulling back his coat momentarily to reveal a rifle that had been swung over his shoulder. Police officers then approached Fleming after a witness called 911, and Fleming took off running down the sidewalk. While running, Fleming brandished a semiautomatic carbine rifle in broad daylight while frightened civilians began running away from him [...]."

The statement continued: "Fleming then threw the rifle over a fence near where customers were dining at a restaurant’s outdoor dining shed. Law enforcement officers recovered the rifle and found that it was a loaded semiautomatic Hi-Point carbine rifle [...]."

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York added: "Meanwhile, after throwing the rifle, Fleming brandished a revolver and continued running down the street, with police officers in foot pursuit. A nearby civilian, seeing Fleming running down the street with a revolver in his hand, stood in Fleming's way and 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."

This footage was filmed and produced 16 March 2023.

This is the moment a good Samaritan takes down a man armed with an assault rifle and a Magnum handgun on the streets of Manhattan. CCTV footage of the takedown shows the gunman fleeing just moments after running from a store in the Chelsea neighbourhood of Manhattan, in New York City. But as he gives police the slip, he comes face to face with a have-a-go hero who body-checks him as he runs down the street.

The suspect, who can be seen running with a drawn handgun after having apparently discarded his rifle, made straight for the civilian blocking his way.
As they clash, the gunman is sent flying into a fence. Then as he tries to run off again, he is grabbed by his coat and held until the police arrive.

As officers run into shot, the suspect - later named as Jason Flemming, 39 - puts his hands up and surrenders. Earlier, the authorities said, Fleming had drawn his weapons in a convenience store after rowing with staff.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York on said that Fleming had "brandished a loaded semiautomatic Hi-Point carbine rifle and a loaded Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver in broad daylight after a dispute in a bodega in Chelsea." The authorities added: "Fleming was arrested after a civilian, seeing Fleming running down the street with a revolver in his hand as police were chasing him, stood in Feming's way and pushed him into a nearby fence and then held onto him until police officers, who were still in pursuit, placed Fleming under arrest."

The statement quotes US Attorney Damian Williams as saying: “As alleged, the defendant illegally brandished two loaded firearms in broad daylight on a Manhattan street, one of which was a carbine rifle, frightening numerous New Yorkers, including a child. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and the heroic efforts of a Good Samaritan, the defendant was apprehended before he could hurt anyone, and his weapons are now off the streets.”

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo is quoted in the statement as saying: “HSI special agents are committed to public safety and do not hesitate to act when members of the community are threatened. I am proud of our agents’ hard work and efforts with the rapid apprehension of this criminal and the follow-on investigative support provided to the New York City Police Department. HSI remains steadfast in our commitment to our law enforcement partners in the cause of community safety.”

The statement continued: "On or about March 16, 2023, Jason Fleming entered a crowded bodega in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan after having a verbal dispute with a man. Fleming then stood in the doorway of the bodega and flashed a handgun as a girl attempted to leave the bodega. The child then ran away from the store when she was able to pass by Fleming onto the sidewalk. The surveillance video then shows Fleming outside the bodega and pulling back his coat momentarily to reveal a rifle that had been swung over his shoulder. Police officers then approached Fleming after a witness called 911, and Fleming took off running down the sidewalk. While running, Fleming brandished a semiautomatic carbine rifle in broad daylight while frightened civilians began running away from him [...]."

The statement continued: "Fleming then threw the rifle over a fence near where customers were dining at a restaurant’s outdoor dining shed. Law enforcement officers recovered the rifle and found that it was a loaded semiautomatic Hi-Point carbine rifle [...]."

The United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York added: "Meanwhile, after throwing the rifle, Fleming brandished a revolver and continued running down the street, with police officers in foot pursuit. A nearby civilian, seeing Fleming running down the street with a revolver in his hand, stood in Fleming's way and 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."

The police said that Fleming has been charged with possession of firearms after a felony conviction, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. The good Samaritan has not been named. The investigation is ongoing. New York has strict gun laws that ban them in many public areas.