Video: See how West Seattle bus riders stopped an armed robber

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle video

You’ve heard how passengers stopped an armed robber on board a Metro Rapid Ride bus in Morgan Junction on November 25th. Now, surveillance video from the bus shows exactly how it happened. Our friends at KING 5 showed the video last night – play the story above to see and hear what happened, including the moment one passenger, facing the robber and his gun, grabs him and pushes him away, seemingly without even stopping to think about it. We first reported it that night as a big police response drew attention and as the story started to emerge – the video matches what we were told by people who were on the bus; 19-year-old Trevonnte Brown of Beacon Hill was arrested immediately, charged days later, and was back in court earlier this week, where he pleaded not guilty to charges including a new one related to another bus holdup last month. He remains in jail, with bail set at $350,000 and his next hearing set for December 30th.

iamseriodotus December 19, 2013 (6:26 am)

That was the most amazing reaction I’ve ever seen to a gun being thrust in someone’s face.

“NOPE! *PUNCH*”

Kate K December 19, 2013 (7:05 am)

Very shocking to see the video. Brave passengers in the face of a guy with a gun. Don’t mess with West Seattle!

35this35mph December 19, 2013 (7:14 am)

What’s amazing is he doesn’t seem to hesitate at all but if you watch, as he’s pushing the guy back he very deliberately puts his iphone in his jacket pocket! Priorities!

Jeanine December 19, 2013 (7:26 am)

I noticed that too 35 … was also impressed at how he turned the gun in toward the robber.

Genesee Hill December 19, 2013 (7:47 am)

That is one brave guy. Wow.

Craig December 19, 2013 (8:08 am)

LOOK AT LORRAINE! Wow…

sam-c December 19, 2013 (8:26 am)

wow, amazing lightening fast reaction – nice!
you never know what you would do in that situation- I’m afraid I might be frozen in fear.

meanwhile I’m trying to figure out the waving woman in the back. is she trying to get someone’s attention, or was the bus stinky ?

amalia December 19, 2013 (8:30 am)

Wimpy criminal had no response. The guy who took him down was super brave (and cool – had the wherewithal to put his phone in his pocket!), and it just goes to show: criminals with guns are cowards. Thanks also to the others who tried to make sure the hero didn’t get the gun pointed back at him.

sun*e December 19, 2013 (8:51 am)

They just shared this video on the Today Show and they mentioned it happened in Seattle but I didn’t know it was on a WEST Seattle bus until I saw this article. WHOA!!! That is so scary and way too close to home!
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To that brave guy: Way to react so instantly and effectively but very dangerous….I don’t think a cell phone is worth losing your life over and luckily it didn’t come to that. I’m glad you had extra help taking the criminal down…don’t mess with West Seattle, is right!

Anonymous December 19, 2013 (8:56 am)

Wow that is so scary… My friend was the girl sitting right next to the brave guy who grabbed Trevonnte’s gun. I’m so grateful to the people who helped stop this “kid”.

homesick December 19, 2013 (9:26 am)

Was so proud to see this on Good Morning America today!!!

I. Ponder December 19, 2013 (9:40 am)

Who is the guy that took down the robber and is he martial arts trained? I’m guessing yes.

WSB December 19, 2013 (10:03 am)

Ponder – The ID question is an interesting one. In our original story, we quoted someone who called us shortly after the incident to confirm the details of the passengers-fightback angle as saying that he just wanted to make sure a guy “named Joshua” got credit as the one who grabbed the robber’s arm. I subsequently made contact with someone who I thought was that person. But when the report narrative and charging documents came out, the name listed (we don’t publish victims’ or witnesses’ names unless they voluntarily approach us to share their story) as the person who fought back, was not Joshua and did not have the same surname as the person I’d heard from. Mystery for now! Perhaps he will comment here (I would imagine TV is knocking on his door) – Tracy

fargo2seattle December 19, 2013 (9:51 am)

Ah so that was Lorraine! Way to go sweetie!

G December 19, 2013 (9:54 am)

Courageous to be sure. But, my second reaction is – this is West Seattle??!! Shocking and really depressing.

burglarbustindad December 19, 2013 (9:57 am)

Good job!

Chris Barnes December 19, 2013 (10:03 am)

I think the guy reacted to the threat of the gun and did not realize that he was being held up for his phone…he was deep into his music…it was pure “fight or flight” reaction.

birdrescuer December 19, 2013 (10:11 am)

I am just glad no one was hurt I’d give up my phone in a heart beat and not fight anyone with a gun in my face. Brave? Foolish?

dsa December 19, 2013 (10:14 am)

That guy is so cool in his initial manner about taking down the menace.

Yes!!! December 19, 2013 (10:39 am)

That vid gave me chills. First, from the realization that the thug’s finger was on the trigger; this so easily could have had a tragic outcome from the second the victim fought back. And second, for the way the victim fought back. Wow. What incredible instincts and courage. That young man and his family should be very, very proud. And I doubt he ever sits out in a public space again so oblivious to his surroundings (not finding fault; just saying he learned a huge life lesson). I hope that scum-thug rots for many years in prison.

ScubaFrog December 19, 2013 (10:48 am)

I’m SO TIRED of that part of our community. We have got to find a way to reach them, so they’ll stop robbing and killing themselves, and others.

WSB December 19, 2013 (11:42 am)

Couple updates – Joshua really does exist, I have been assured via e-mail from a central figure in the case. And, we are headed downtown to get our own copy of the entire video sequence – look for an update here later.

rw December 19, 2013 (10:53 am)

Many years ago I was robbed at gunpoint in Washington DC. It was a deserted stretch of Connecticut Ave, and the punk jumped out of the shadows and pushed the gun in my waist. In an instant I calculated that I could take him, but I also figured that the resulting tussle on the ground would likely ruin my suit and could lead to a hole in my body — neither was worth the $100 or so that I had in my wallet.
The confrontation in this video turned out OK, but could have been far worse, either for the hero or one of the other passengers. I’m glad they got the bum, but I’m not sure the risks were worth taking.

I. Ponder December 19, 2013 (11:44 am)

Was the gun loaded and functional? Was it not fired because it wasn’t? If it was, when guy grabbed villain by the wrist and turned his hand away, a bullet could have been fired into someone. I applaud his quick response and outcome, but it’s also possible everyone got lucky. More info please.

Me December 19, 2013 (11:50 am)

I like the way he turned the gun into the robbers abdomen. If it went off it would be sad for him.

Ben December 19, 2013 (11:50 am)

A more extended version of the source video can be found on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP6gGjuNRnc#t=83

15minutesoffame? December 19, 2013 (12:25 pm)

The alleged robber’s mother was on local news saying that she frisked her son, and made sure the gun wasn’t loaded before he left the house.

The alleged robber’s mother should think less about getting face time on the news.

WSB December 19, 2013 (12:55 pm)

15mins – Patrick was at that same hearing and FWIW it wasn’t so much a case of face time as that she was in the small bail court (from which there is no escape) and swarmed by cameras the second it was over. OTOH, she also could have chosen not to comment. I keep telling people, you don’t HAVE to talk to the media. Ever. And there are many cases in which it is not in your best interest to do anything but say “no comment” and walk away … (Apologies if you are talking about a separate interview since then.)

Matt December 19, 2013 (12:31 pm)

I’m almost certain I would have just peed my pants and dropped my phone, and if I find out who that evolved human was I’ll have to buy him a drink.
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He probably added “thwart thug” to his to-do list in that split second (urgent priority), then followed through swiftly without bothering other passengers, forgetting to put his phone away in the right pocket, or wrinkling his pants. Superhuman.

homesick December 19, 2013 (2:24 pm)

and now the video is all over the news here in Detroit.
so proud of west seattle!!!

Diane December 19, 2013 (2:25 pm)

@TR and 15mins; the interview that I saw where the “alleged robber’s mother was on local news saying that she frisked her son, and made sure the gun wasn’t loaded before he left the house.”; it was not in the court; it was on a separate day, interview in her home
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I saw this on KIRO 7 tv news at noon on Nov 27, and posted comment to wsblog Nov 26 story; they interviewed the mom in her home, who seemed to clearly know this kid gets into trouble and travels with a gun; mom said she asked him if he had a gun on him when he went out that eve, talked about frisking him; then said that the gun was not loaded (as if that really matters) and that her kid may have been trying to get some money because his car just broke down or some such excuse

yaman December 19, 2013 (2:37 pm)

Wow## that’s Lorraine from Beveridge place rushing in!!! She just poured me a Latona Ipa! !!

Diane December 19, 2013 (2:50 pm)

TR; I look forward to seeing the entire video; glad to see what king5 put out, but a bit frustrating to see the edited version, not knowing what was cut out; I played it back a million times trying to get the whole picture, how the kid got on the bus (looks like he snuck in back door?) and each rider’s reactions (and non-reactions because they’re so damned absorbed in the “smart” phones); sure hope this raises a giant red flag to pay attention to your surroundings while in public places, whether walking downtown, or at the bus stop, or on the bus; way too many people are disengaged from their current physical surroundings (heads down and ear buds in; cannot see or hear what is right in front of them)
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and this WS hero; omg, how about person of the year award from Metro? I hope he comes forward so we can have a huge celebratory rally/party for him; and many WS awards, so deserving

Diane December 19, 2013 (2:50 pm)

@Ben; I tried several times to play your youtube video of this; it would not work

WSB December 19, 2013 (2:51 pm)

Ben, thanks for the link. I have since obtained a disc with the full video but converting it is taking a while because it’s in a Windows format and we are all-Mac! – TR

Diane December 19, 2013 (3:07 pm)

TR; do you know how long the full video is?

WSB December 19, 2013 (3:20 pm)

Can’t tell – only how many GB’s…

West Seattle Hipster December 19, 2013 (3:59 pm)

The look on the gunman’s face is PRICELESS when he realizes his intended victim is fighting back.

Much respect to the gentleman who fought back, and to the others that rushed to help.

Perhaps this is the start of a trend…..

Tony L December 19, 2013 (4:44 pm)

Why would the guy plead Not Guilty against his charges? Maybe I haven’t watched enough Law and Order but there seems to be a lot of evidence against the guy…

wscommuter December 19, 2013 (5:56 pm)

Any criminal defendant always pleads NG at arraignment (the only hearing so far in this case). It is just procedural. He will have a case setting hearing later, which is the “plead or go to trial” decision point. Often, this is when the guilty plea occurs.

Speaking more broadly … because he has a Constitutional right to have the State prove the case at trial. Which, in this instance, is a slam dunk. Chill … it will all be fine. He’s going away for a nice bit, rest assured.