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Security Officer Called 'Hero' For Stopping SEPTA Slashing Suspect

SPRINGFIELD, P.A., (CBS) -- Taqi Brower made a last minute decision Wednesday afternoon to ride a SEPTA bus to his job as a security officer at a Chester school, instead of driving.

A lot of people are glad he did.

Brower, who carries a licensed firearm, confronted a suspect who police say, had just slashed a 17-year-old passenger on the throat, stopping the attack, and preventing harm to 10 other terrified passengers aboard the bus on Baltimore Pike near Church Road in Springfield, Delaware County.

"I drew my firearm, I held him at gunpoint, I told him don't move," Brower told Eyewitness News in an exclusive interview.

Brower says, as the passengers screamed, he held the suspect at gunpoint, calling police, who quickly responded, placing the suspect under arrest.

Springfield Township Police Superintendent Joe Daly praised Brower for his quick, courageous actions and for showing restraint and not firing his weapon.

Court records show the suspect, Edward Gay, is a career criminal who had been arrested last June in Olney for slashing a bus passengers face with a pen and again last November for slashing another SEPTA bus passenger at 46th and Market in West Philadelphia. Held on $100,000 bail, the suspect,who police say is homeless and may have mental issues, is now in Delaware County prison.

Fortunately, police say the 17-year-old victim suffered only two superficial slash wounds on his neck and was expected to be released from the hospital after he was held overnight.

Meanwhile, Brower says, he was thanked by the bus driver and several passengers, grateful, no doubt, that,on this day, he chose to ride SEPTA.

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