Panhandler Shoots Man on Bus After People Refuse to Give Money

A Briijktb panhandler was arrested yesterday (Jan. 31st) after he allegedly shot a passenger in the hand on a bus. Police say the incident happened aboard a B12 bus on New York Avenue in East New York. Witnesses say beggar Sean McTerrel was harassing the passengers onboard for money, including victim Jowainza Maloney. “The arguing was because nobody wants to give the guy who was shooting any money,” rider Carlina Nichols told CBS.

The Post reports McTerrel was asking a mother with her baby for change when Maloney stepped in and told him, “You’re a grown man. You need to go get a job. Stop asking people for money.” McTerrel allegedly told the bus driver he was going to kill Maloney, then threatened Maloney and made racist comments. “He just pulled out a gun, and the guy ran towards him just to hold him; to hold the gun,” Nichols said. “And when he held the gun, the man fires just all kinds of gunfire. It just went all over.”

While struggling with McTerrel, Maloney was shot in the hand. “The bullet went just past my face,” Nichols added to the Post. “I’m just checking myself to see if I’m shot. I was in shock.” The bus driver kept driving despite the shots, and stopped the bus in front of the 73rd precinct. McTerrel and Maloney continued wrestling on the street there: “We rolled off the bus because the front door was open,” Maloney told the Daily News. “I saw my life flash in front of me. I was just trying not to be killed.”

“He basically tussled him down so he wouldn’t hurt anyone else on the bus,” Nichols said. “He’s really a hero.” McTerrel has been charged with attempted murder, assault, weapon possession and reckless endangerment. Maloney was taken to Brookdale University Hospital, where he is in stable condition. “I was fighting for my life,” Maloney added. “If I hadn’t done anything, it would have been worse.”

Source: CBS New York