Call For Better Protection Following D.C. Metro Attack
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- A call for better protection on the Washington metro line comes from a man who was attacked last week, and another man who stepped in to help him.
Pat Warren reports, the attack is one of more than 30 so far this year.
Metro Transit police said there have been fewer attacks on the transit system than this time last year, but Friday's assault was one of them.
62-year-old John Rowley was on his way to meet a friend last Friday when a group of teenagers attacked him at a metro station in Washington.
"This was a totally unprovoked attack, nothing was said to me and one jumped at me. He put his shoulder into my chest,tried to knock me down, I took a step towards him as if to say what are you doing and at that point he I think took a punch at me, others jumped me from behind, I was dragged down on the ground," Rowley said.
He was pushed toward a moving train.
"I learned that there was a good Samaritan, a second year law student at GW law school who jumped in and he took some of the punches that no doubt were intended for me and he helped to break up the attack, I'd like very much to see him again and to thank him in person," he said.
Rowley later met 23-year-old Andrew Miller.
"They stepped over him they came at me they threw one punch which I was able to block instinctively but it landed a little bit. They swung a second time, that one hit me, that one hit me down and I think that was the end of it," Miller said.
"Nobody but one person stopped and that was this guy here," Rowley said.
"I have come to terms with the fact that violence exists in the world and the question really is more so, what are we going to do about it," Miller said.
Transit police arrested two juveniles they believe were involved in the attack.
Metro transit said there have been 33 attacks this year, 16 fewer than the same time last year.
Rowley broke his hand trying to avoid falling against the moving train. Miller had a slight concussion.
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