Syrian Zack Tahhan to share reward for helping NYPD catch subway gunman

Tahhan, who moved to the US five years ago, was honoured by New York’s mayor and the city's police force

Zack Tahhan, the Syrian immigrant who helped police catch the gunman in the Brooklyn subway shooting last week, has been honoured for his quick thinking.

Mr Tahhan was one of four members of the public to receive public praise at a proclamation ceremony on Wednesday attended by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell and Metropolitan Transit Authority head Janno Lieber.

Mr Tahhan installs security cameras and has lived in the US for five years.

He was working at a shop in Manhattan’s East Village when he saw a man who resembled photos released by police of the suspect. The assailant, Frank James, was later apprehended.

Ten people were shot in one subway carriage after Frank James opened fire. A further 23 people were injured in the chaos that followed at the 36th St station in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

Others honoured at the ceremony on Wednesday were Mohamad Cheikh, who was also upgrading security cameras at the shop; Francisco Puebla, a manager at a hardware and gardening store; and Jack Griffin, a secondary school pupil who was on a class field trip.

The four will share the $50,000 reward among themselves and one other person, who asked not to be identified.

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  Police circulated images of Frank R James, 62, after the mass shooting in Brooklyn, New York. EPA

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  Emergency crews at the entrance to the 36th Street subway station in Brooklyn, after the rush-hour shooting on Tuesday. AP

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  Police and fire officials at the scene in New York. EPA

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  Several people were shot, with wounded commuters left bleeding on the platform. EPA

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  At least 13 people were injured. AP

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  Officers with dogs trained to sniff out explosives were among the police at the scene. AP

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  Sniffer dogs at the station. AP

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  Police and fire crews at the scene. EPA

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  The fire department said 13 people were injured, while police said at least five had been shot. AFP

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  Heavily armed police at the cordoned-off station. Getty

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  Onlookers stand behind the cordon. Getty

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  Rush-hour commuters were caught up in the incident. AFP

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  Bomb disposal experts arrive at the station. EPA

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  Emergency services vehicles outside the scene of the shooting. AP

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  Police and rescue workers crowd the street outside the station after the shooting. AFP

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  New York commuters wait for a subway train after the shooting. Reuters

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  A police officer and dog check a subway station in Manhattan after the Brooklyn incident. Reuters

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  Metropolitan Transportation Authority workers carry out checks in Manhattan. Reuters

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  Stations throughout the network were on alert. Reuters

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  Police and security officers on patrol at Manhattan's 42nd Street station. Reuters

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  Heavily armed police at the scene of the shooting in Brooklyn's Sunset Park neighbourhood. AFP

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  Emergency workers at the scene of the shooting. EPA

During the ceremony, Ms Sewell said each of the five tipsters “exemplifies the determination and courage” that makes the attendees proud to be New Yorkers, the New York Times reported.

After Mr James was apprehended, Mr Tahhan held an impromptu press conference on the streets that quickly became viral for his enthusiasm, at one point grabbing a reporter’s microphone to interview other witnesses.

Police reported that on April 12, Mr James donned a gas mask while in a subway carriage, then filled it with smoke using two cannisters before opening fire on other passengers.

Mr James left behind a trail of evidence including a jammed nine-millimetre pistol, a gas mask, a hatchet, fireworks and keys to a van rented by Mr James, the NYPD said at a press conference.

It was the pistol’s jamming that prevented more bloodshed, police said. They found it contained an additional 57 rounds.

Mr James himself had alerted police to his whereabouts after photos of him circulated on social media.

The attack stunned New York, in which gun violence has increased, a priority for Mr Adams since he was sworn in as mayor this year.

Mr James was charged with committing a violent attacking a mass transit system, a federal offence. A US federal judge ordered him to remain in jail without bail.