Who is Zach Tahhan? Syrian hailed as hero for finding subway shooter Frank James
With the entire New York City Police Department on the hunt for him, subway shooter Frank James was finally caught on April 13, 2022. However, he wasn't nabbed by New York's finest, but rather a Syrian immigrant and security worker who was just going about his day. The 21-year-old is now being hailed a hero after helping nab the city's "most wanted man" who caused 29 injuries on the NYC subway after opening fire.
The city's subway has become a major hotspot for violent crime over the past year, with several incidents of commuters being pushed in front of trains being recorded. Other incidents that have gone viral include fights, racist attacks, and even stabbings. However, James' violent assault on April 12 left the city scarred in a way few other incidents have. It also prompted a citywide search by the NYPD and FBI, which finally ended a day later.
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As we reported, James appeared to give himself up, calling the cops to quip "you're looking for me". However, their search would have gone on longer, had it not been for the sharp eyes of Tahhan. He's now being lauded as a hero, with people in the East Village gathering to celebrate the man shortly after James was arrested.
Who is Zach Tahhan?
Little is known about the 21-year-old, who has suddenly shot to fame. According to The Daily Mail, he's originally from Syria and currently lives in New Jersey. Tahhan is currently employed at MACA security integrators, a New Jersey-based security store where he works as a technician. According to The New York Times, he moved to the US five years ago, and reportedly speaks five languages.
Shortly after lunchtime, Tahhan was fixing a security camera outside the Saifee hardware and garden store, near the East Village's Tompkins Square Park when he saw James walk by. He then "'started jumping up and down and screaming". "People think I am crazy, like maybe I am on drugs. But I’m not. I’m fasting," he said at a press conference after James' arrest. However, the store's manager wasn't one of them. As Tahhan ran behind James, the manager reportedly flagged down a nearby police cruiser.
Minutes later, James was in custody without putting up a fight. Immediately, a crowd had gathered and reportedly demanded that the $50,000 reward be doubled for Tahhan. However, the humble man refused even the original amount, saying, "money is not important to me" and that he just "wanted to do the right thing." One eyewitness dubbed Tahhan "incredible", adding, "In New York City, we protect us, nobody's really safe out here."
Mayor Eric Adams didn't mention Tahhan in his message to New Yorkers after James' arrest. All Adams said was "I want to thank every day New Yorkers who called in tips, responded, helped wounded passengers," adding, "Thirty-three shots but less than 30 hours later we're able to say, we got him." Even NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell didn't acknowledge Tahhan's heroics.
It is reported that James strolled passed Tahhan shortly after exiting a nearby Mcdonald's, from here he called the NYPD. "'I felt scared as he had a backpack. So it was really scary. We walked behind him and police grabbed him," noted Saifee's manager Francisco Puebla. It's unclear how many people James strolled passed before Tahhan noticed him. The hashtag #ThankYouZach is now trending on social media, as New Yorkers heap praise on the man who helped nab James.