Commending and honoring Reverend Tameka Bates for her heroic acts of bravery and Good Samaritan efforts to prevent harm to a mother and child during a violent disruption on the SEPTA train incited by a man threatening to shoot passengers on the train at the Fairmount Station and attempting to kidnap the mother's baby.

WHEREAS, On Monday, March 17, 2014 at approximately 2:55 p.m., police radio calls reported a man with a gun threatening passengers onboard a southbound Broad Street Line train that just left Cecil B. Moore Station; and

WHEREAS, SEPTA surveillance video reveal Reverend Tameka Bates a Good Samaritan acting with bravery to stop the violent and disruptive man as he harassed a young woman and her infant onboard a SEPTA train just moments before the arrival of SEPTA Police Officer Ronald P. Jones; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Tameka Bates, a minister at Resurrection Evangelistic Church, observing the man's threatening behavior watches at the mother moves from her seat and the man follows her swatting at the infant as if he is attempting to grab the baby; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Bates immediately sprang to rescue the mother and child by warding off the man and escorting the mother and child away from the imposing suspect at least twice and physically blocked him from approaching the mother and child; and

WHEREAS, At one point, the man reached and grabbed for the child again, just as the mother managed to get off the train, but Reverend Bates stood boldly between the violent assailant and the mother and child, saying “The Lord God, rebuke you in the name of Jesus, you will not touch this woman"; and

WHEREAS, Moments later, SEPTA Police Officers arrived on the scene to apprehend the violent, disruptive assailant and a battle ensued as the man physically assaulted SEPTA police officers and attempted to take possession of an officer's handgun while nearly SEPTA passengers; and

WHEREAS, Reverend Tameka Bates is to be commended for her heroic act of bravery and Good Samaritan efforts during a violent disruption on the SEPTA train incited by a man threatening to shoot innocent passengers on the train at the Fairmount Station and attempting to kidnap the baby of a woman passenger; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby commends and honors Reverend Tameka Bates for her heroic acts of bravery and Good Samaritan efforts to prevent harm to a mother and child during a violent disruption on the SEPTA train incited by a man threatening to shoot passengers on the train at the Fairmount Station and attempting to kidnap the mother's baby

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to Reverend Tameka Bates of Resurrection Evangelistic Church as evidence of the sincere appreciation of this legislative body.

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