Fred Reeves, a 58-year-old conductor, was operating a busy Brooklyn train when a terrifying incident unfolded, leaving him feeling unsafe at work. During a rush-hour journey, a passenger was shot in the head with his own weapon after a violent altercation. This event took place on an express A train as it approached the Hoyt-Schermerhorn streets station.
Reeves, hailing from East Flatbush in Brooklyn, is haunted by the vivid memories of the turmoil that occurred between two passengers. He expressed his shock and anxiety, stating, “I am shellshocked. Like, my nerves are just through the roof.”
Known also as “Doc Ice,” a rapper from the renowned Brooklyn hip-hop groups UTFO and Whodini, Reeves took immediate action when he noticed passengers in distress. As the train neared the station, panicked passengers surged towards his car, desperately signaling him about the escalating situation.
The confrontation began when DaJuan Robinson, 36, attacked Younece Obuad, 32, accusing him of being a migrant, which led to a physical fight. During the altercation, a woman, believed to be Obuad’s girlfriend, stabbed Robinson. In a dramatic turn of events, Robinson pulled out a gun, but Obuad managed to disarm him and shot him four times, critically injuring him.
Reeves, witnessing the chaos, cautiously opened the hatch to assess the situation. He advised against pulling the emergency brake to avoid being stranded in the station. His priority was to keep the passengers calm and ensure their safety until the police arrived.
Having joined the subway as a conductor in 2018, Reeves is no stranger to conflicts on trains but was taken aback by the severity of this incident. As shots were fired, he quickly acted to open the doors, allowing terrified passengers to escape the scene.
Despite the danger, Reeves adhered to MTA policy, unable to allow a young girl into his cab during the ordeal. The fear and panic were palpable among the passengers, prompting Reeves to reflect on the vulnerability of everyone involved, including his own family.
The incident has deeply affected Reeves, a married father of six, who now questions his safety on the job. He emphasized the unpredictability of such violent acts and the need for more police presence on subway trains to ensure the safety of both the conductors and passengers.
Reeves is advocating for increased patrols on trains, believing that a visible police presence could deter potential aggressors. However, he remains uncertain about his return to work, haunted by the memories of the shooting and the faces of those involved, especially the young girl who sought refuge in his cab.