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FDNY Chief Saves Son from Attacker
BY Jonathan Lemire
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
NY DAILY NEWS
An off-duty FDNY chief fought off a disturbed man who tried to snatch his son off a crowded Brooklyn street Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
Battalion Chief Butch Brandes was walking with his son Jake outside the Kings Plaza Mall when a disheveled, wild-eyed man suddenly ran up to them and started screaming.
"He told me that my son is not my son, that he didn't belong to me," said Brandes of Battalion 41 in Flatbush. "He was crazy; he kept saying that [Jake] was his son."
After bundling his 8-year-old son to safety inside their parked car, Brandes turned to confront the man, who started flailing away with frantic punches. As the two men grappled in the middle of the intersection of Flatbush Ave. and Avenue V, several onlookers gathered to gape.
No one stepped in to help the firefighter until good Samaritan Kevin Williams lunged at the crazed man.
"[Brandes] was yelling as he fought, 'He's trying to take my kid - can you help me?'" said Williams, a carpenter who was also going to the mall.
"I was able to get the man from behind and knock him to the ground," said Williams. "I had to do something."
The attacker, who was not identified, was taken into police custody minutes later. He was sent for psychiatric evaluation, and criminal charges are pending, officials said. Brandes suffered several bruises and cuts in the brawl but was more concerned about his young son's emotional well-being.
"He was devastated by the whole thing, really upset," said Brandes. "It was a terrible, scary moment."
Battalion Chief Butch Brandes successfully defended his son with help from two Good Samaritans. Maisel/News
An unidentified attacker accosted FDNY Battalion Chief Butch Brandes on Sunday, claiming that the chief's son, Jake, was actually his child. Maisel/News
Related
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
NY DAILY NEWS
An off-duty FDNY chief fought off a disturbed man who tried to snatch his son off a crowded Brooklyn street Sunday afternoon, authorities said.
Battalion Chief Butch Brandes was walking with his son Jake outside the Kings Plaza Mall when a disheveled, wild-eyed man suddenly ran up to them and started screaming.
"He told me that my son is not my son, that he didn't belong to me," said Brandes of Battalion 41 in Flatbush. "He was crazy; he kept saying that [Jake] was his son."
After bundling his 8-year-old son to safety inside their parked car, Brandes turned to confront the man, who started flailing away with frantic punches. As the two men grappled in the middle of the intersection of Flatbush Ave. and Avenue V, several onlookers gathered to gape.
No one stepped in to help the firefighter until good Samaritan Kevin Williams lunged at the crazed man.
"[Brandes] was yelling as he fought, 'He's trying to take my kid - can you help me?'" said Williams, a carpenter who was also going to the mall.
"I was able to get the man from behind and knock him to the ground," said Williams. "I had to do something."
The attacker, who was not identified, was taken into police custody minutes later. He was sent for psychiatric evaluation, and criminal charges are pending, officials said. Brandes suffered several bruises and cuts in the brawl but was more concerned about his young son's emotional well-being.
"He was devastated by the whole thing, really upset," said Brandes. "It was a terrible, scary moment."
Battalion Chief Butch Brandes successfully defended his son with help from two Good Samaritans. Maisel/News
An unidentified attacker accosted FDNY Battalion Chief Butch Brandes on Sunday, claiming that the chief's son, Jake, was actually his child. Maisel/News
Related
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Tim Wood on
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Wow Im speachless what a terrible situation hopefully the boy isnt tramatized by this for the rest of his life. Thank god for Mr Williams my prayers go out to the Brandes family
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Permalink Reply by BillySFCVFD on
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With several "on lookers" watching and taking no action makes me wonder if big city life jades people. Glad the Chief and his son weren't seriosly hurt. TCSS
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Permalink Reply by Fire Chick on
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good job.. hope the son is able to get over that soon.. i know people that have gone thru that..
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Permalink Reply by Chris Daley on
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As as a fire fighter, I just don't understand how people can idly stand by while a person in need struggles in a situation like this. Thank God for Mr. Williams and his intervention.
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