A woman threatened by a homeless man will consider subway guard John Rote a “hero” – but hopes he tried to help without firing a gun at the station.
Speaking to The Post by phone on Friday, the 40-year-old woman, who did not want to be identified, recalled the “pure terror” she felt during Tuesday’s ordeal in the city’s subway system which she believes has become increasingly safe for riders.
One reason for the bleak conditions underground, he said, is the lack of serious punishment for repeat offenders — like the man who tried to rob him — who hang out in subway stations.
The woman’s terrifying scenario unfolded when, while trying to return to her Queens home, she ran into Matthew Roesch, a 49-year-old homeless man, who allegedly harassed her for money after she opened the emergency door at the 49th Street station near Times Square, she recalled.
When she tried to walk past him, he blocked her path and demanded money, according to court documents.
“I said, ‘I’m not going to give him any money’ and kept walking. He followed me. He kept demanding money and he said, ‘if you don’t give me money, I’ll take your bag.’ I tried to stay away from him, but he followed me and got closer,” the woman said.
Roesch – known to police for frequently pulling off the scheme – allegedly made a move to grab her bag when Rote, 43, brandished a gun and allegedly fired several shots across the subway as he warned the thief to leave the woman alone.
“Of course, I’m glad the guy tried to help me and nobody got hurt during this incident, but it’s scary to think that people are carrying weapons around town. I understand why people do it, they see it as their only means of protection,” the woman said.
Matthew Roesch followed his victim and demanded money after letting him through the emergency exit, Steven Hirsch told The Post
Rote is seen on surveillance footage casually pulling a gun from his bag and pointing it at the fray before yelling: “Get the f–k away from him!”
“Everything happened in a few seconds. It didn’t faze the homeless man, he kept saying, ‘give me money, give me money,’” the woman said.
That’s when Rote allegedly fired a second shot and continued to yell at Roesch to back away from his victim.
Roesch eventually stopped, giving the woman a chance to escape.
John Rote allegedly shouted “Get away from him” before firing two shots through a subway station.BRIGITTE STELZER
As about 40 others at the station scattered, he found safety in an MTA maintenance room after an employee opened the door to see the chaos.
He pushed a large metal cabinet against the door, preventing gunmen or would-be hijackers from following them in.
“I was scared, I felt fear, panic. I am ready for anything, to fight for my life in any way. The gun was pointed at me, and that was all I saw. It was a genuine feeling of fear that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.”
The woman said she wished Rote hadn’t used a gun when he tried to help her.
Roesch was arrested after police arrived within minutes and charged with attempted robbery, but Rote was able to escape before he could be handcuffed.
Rote – who had no previous arrests – was arrested at his workplace in Manhattan the next day after an anonymous tipster recognized him from footage leaked by police.
He allegedly confessed to the shooting and told police he threw the gun in the East River.
Roesch has a history of selling MetroCard swipes and collecting money on the subway.NYPOST
He was charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment and menacing, the NYPD said.
Law enforcement sources said they don’t think Rote was targeting the homeless man, and was just trying to scare him.
Although the woman said she wanted to thank Rote for intervening, she said she wished he had left the weapon with her.
Rote, who has no prior arrests, is charged with criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of a firearm, reckless endangerment and menacing.FNTV
“In this case, the man took a huge risk to protect me, his safety, and the safety of others on the platform. Yeah, I think he’s a hero, but I don’t know, I’d probably consider him a bigger hero if he tried to help me without a weapon. In my opinion, the gun is a bit extreme. It’s a very dangerous situation, anything can happen.”
The woman also slammed the MTA and NYPD, accusing them of doing little to prevent such chaos on the subway.
He said the incident was the second of two unsettling encounters with homeless people on the 49th Street platform in just one day — the morning began with another man openly masturbating on a bench without shame: “That set the tone for the day.”
“The MTA and NYPD are not doing much to protect the public. But it is very dangerous. There are many incidents where guns are involved and they end badly. Honestly, I’m against people carrying weapons with them around town,” he said.
The woman said the shooting was the second incident she witnessed in a Manhattan subway station involving a homeless person in just one day.Paul Martinka
“MTA raised the fare, but nothing changed. Two incidents in one day. They let these people do whatever they want. This incident is entirely the fault of the MTA and the NYPD. They need to improve rider safety.”
The woman added that there should be stronger punishments for repeat offenders, like Roesch, who has been repeatedly arrested for hand-picking and selling MetroCards on the subway.
“The homeless are allowed to do what they want without punishment. They let the man go. That sends a message that they can do what they want and get away with it,” he said.
“He will continue to do this again and again. I rarely see patrols on the subway. They only start patrolling after something happens somewhere. They should be there every day, keeping riders safe.”
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
