Alleged Copley attacker a lucky man
MBTA Inspector Tariq Muhammad exercised great restraint when an out-of-control white guy began cursing him out and then took a swing at him at a T stop on April 1.
Muhammad did two tours with the Army in Iraq - where he served as an MP. And he's kept up with his martial arts training. But in an interview today, he said that when the man, identified as Daniel Jourdet, 52, of Lynn, punched him at the inbound Copley platform on the Green Line, he decided he'd only make things worse if he responded in kind.
"I didn't feel it would be appropriate," he said at an interview at the Government Center T stop. "It wouldn't have been useful."
Muhammad, who's worked for the MBTA for twelve years, the past two as an inspector, said the incident began when he noticed Jourdet getting loud and gesticulating on the yellow warning strip next to the trolley tracks. By itself, this was a potential hazard to trolley drivers and passengers, he said, adding he asked him twice to stop. Then, he said, "He became physical. ... He was groping women. He became verbally abusive."
Muhammad said he told him "we're going to leave the station now" and began to walk him out.
At first, he said, Jourdet agreed to leave. But then, as seen on a video taken by somebody outside the fare gates, Jourdet changed his mind - and began hurling racial slurs at Muhammad and, finally, a punch.
Muhammad said he realized quickly Jourdet was about to take a swing and he managed to maneuver himself so that while Jourdet got him in the forehead, he did not do any serious damage. Muhammad said he went back to work "immediately."
Muhammad expressed relief - and gratitude to T police - that Jourdet was arrested yesterday. "I was very happy," he said. "I'm defintely glad he's behind bars." He added he doesn't know who took the video that launched the hunt for Jourdet; he said he didn't even know somebody had captured the attack because he was too busy just trying to deal with an out-of-control guy.
Jourdet pleaded innocent in Boston Municipal Court today to a variety of charges. He was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
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Comments
He's probably right about not responding in kind...
But I would love to have seen him do it, anyway. That video would have gone viral fast and wide.
Yeah, about that
He said pretty much everybody he knows told him they would've have gone after the guy, too, so props to him for that restraint.
He probably would have been
He probably would have been fired for fighting back. He made the right choice. Wasn't a T employee sued because he hit a girl that kept attacking him?
Racist dude is using the Drunk Defense
His attorney is saying the guy was so drunk he doesn't remember anything about the incident. Somehow I don't think it will help him, but maybe explains the T inspector's reluctance to pole-axe him with a karate chop.
Nice excuse
I really wish the state would get with the times and make all and any offenses under the influence [drugs legal or not] twice as harsh, while decriminalizing simple possession and use.
This guy got drunk and assaulted someone. He should be forced into closed door rehabilitation and probation, and locked up if he relapses. Same with drunk drivers.
Bostonian of the Year, give
Bostonian of the Year, give this guy a raise. His decision making under duress was flawless, he is a credit to the military and the MBTA.
I'll second that..
I can't honestly say that I would have had his self control.
3rd
impeccable judgment and self control. This guy goes to the head of the class.
I want to see the racist drunk scumbag
take on Epic Beard Man of the Oakland Bus extreme fighting league. It wouldn't be a fair fight, but it would be fun.
also, why can't more T employees be like Mr. Muhammad?
person above me shut up
that was the gayest comment ohh i want him to fight the guy that beat someone up on a bus why dont you just shut up and leave that stuff to yourself
"Gayest"
Why did you choose this adjective?
Just wondering.
relax buddy
michael kerpan relax pal im not a homophobe i respect people that are gay blah blah i used that adjective cuz it really annoyed me who said that i say gayest a lot doesnt mean i hate gay people so just calm down buddy
dear anon buddy...
... if you use that adjective a lot in a derogatory fashion, then it shows a lack of respect for gay people. no one called you a homophobe, but we will call you on the language you choose to use on UH. so please cut it out.
A note to cursing anons
No, not going to post that stuff. If you feel compelled to curse, you need to at least accept some accountability and register for an account.
Can't we all get along?
We're not here to celebrate racist asshats... cuz those are a dime a dozen!
Responsible authority figures with good judgement, and self control, despite having the capability of doing massive amounts of damage... those are rare!
Not perturbed....
...just trying to give a civilied hint that one should not use that adjective in the way you did when chatting with civilized (adult) folks.
Kind of like using "retarded" in
Synonomous fashion. Which I haven't noticed anybody doing here, for the record.
wow?
wow my last comment to bandit wasn't posted I thought this country was about freedom of speech im speaking my mind and should be allowed to say what i want but basically, BANDIT DONT CALL ME BUDDY IM NOT YOUR BUDDY
Read up on the Constitution
Freedom of speech means the government can't stop you from saying things (except in some cases it can, "fire" in a crowded theater and all that). Doesn't mean the owner of a Web site isn't allowed to block anonymous expletive-filled tirades in a (possibly vain) effort to raise the level of discourse.