Greek American police officer John Pappas of the K-9 unit in New York was one of a team of law enforcement officials who captured a bomber planning to wreak havoc in the subway near Times Square on Monday 11th December.
According to the Associated Press, a man probably of Bangladeshi descent had strapped himself with a pipe bomb which he set off at 7.30 am in an underground passageway under 42nd Street between 7th and 8th Avenues.
Four people have been reported as having suffered minor injuries, one of them being the bomber himself.
A family friend of the Greek American police officer brought John Pappas’ role to the attention of The National Herald praising his efforts and calling him a “hero.”
The New York Post released a photo showing a police officer holding a bearded man down with his hands behind his back. The man’s shirt was blown off while black soot covered his bare midriff.
Law enforcement officials considered the detonation to have been made by accident, while the 27-year-old man’s intentions remain unclear.
Police and firefighters’ emergency response was so quick and well executed that most of the passers-by did not even hear the explosion but were nevertheless instructed to move away from the place in order not to be injured.
A commuter from Vermont said that the police were able to avert panic and they handled the situation in an orderly manner. Although the incident took place during the rush hour, traffic around the Port Authority area was diverted, police and emergency vehicles lined the streets and no other vehicle could be seen moving.
New Jersey Transit buses took passengers to Secaucus and Hoboken, from where they could reach the city by train.
U.S. President Donald Trump was informed about the bombing incident as White House Press Secretary Sarah Sanders announced on Twitter.
Source: thegreekobserver.com