'He Is A Hero:' Muslim Teen Honored For Tracking Down Assault Suspect In Brooklyn
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A Muslim teenager has been honored for putting his life at risk to chase down an assault suspect in Brooklyn.
Ahmed Khalifa, 17, said he was heading home on Dec. 29 when he saw a man attacking a 56-year-old Orthodox Jewish woman on a Q subway train.
Khalifa got off the train and followed the suspect until police placed the man under arrest.
VIDEO. 17yo Muslim Ahmed Khalifa honored for chasing man who attacked Orthodox Jewish woman. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/D2ZApdiTYe
— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) January 5, 2017
"I just needed to get him, that's all I wanted to do," Khalifa said. "She's like my cousin basically, even though I don't know her."
On Thursday, Assemblyman Dov Hikind presented the Midwood High School student with a legislative citation and a laptop.
"He doesn't want to be called a hero? He is a hero," Hikind said.
So honored to present Midwood HS hero w/ his own laptop for college next semester! Proud of his noble, heroic act! pic.twitter.com/NIpZd3Ik6n
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) January 5, 2017
Khalifa's father was beaming.
"I'm proud of my son," the teen's father said.
Here's the citation Assy @HikindDov gave to Muslim teen who chased man who attacked Orthodox Jewish woman. @wcbs880 pic.twitter.com/YoKauJwQzN
— Peter Haskell (@peterhaskell880) January 5, 2017
Hikind hopes others follow Khalifa's example.
"Hate is unacceptable under any circumstances," Hikind said.