Nov 20, 2008 6:17 pm US/Eastern
Questions Arise After Man Boards Train With Gun
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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Baltimore police arrested a man with a gun Wednesday morning after a cab driver reported the man had made threats and wanted to be driven to the White House.
CBS
Police say charges are pending for a man that boarded a MARC train with a gun. Police are still trying to find out where the rifle came from and what the Washington, D.C. resident was doing in Baltimore.
Weijia Jiang reports Asa Seeley, 25, tried to hide it.
It was a large item underneath a sheet. But the cab driver who was taking Seeley home from Baltimore to Washington, D.C. realized he was holding a weapon.
"Talk about community engagement, he responded and did a [great] job reporting that right away," said Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.
In fact, it was an SKS assault rifle, which is much like an AK-47.
"Which was loaded with ammunition and he had spare ammunition on him," said Fred Bealefeld, Baltimore City Police Commissioner.
Police say Seeley mentioned the White House and other Washington, D.C. landmarks.
Alarmed, the cab driver dropped Seeley off at the West Baltimore MARC station and flagged down a nearby officer.
Meanwhile, the train conductor halted the ride. Seeley got off the car to see police waiting for him. He then jumped 20 feet off a platform and broke his ankle. From high above, the weapon could be seen.
Tashea Brodgins watched it all.
"He came along with me right behind me, he sat down, he didn't make a move. He held it straight the whole time like a baby," said Brodgins.
Other passengers wonder if more security could have prevented the scare.
"No one actually patrols, they just go by, they don't do anything so that's what I'm frustrated at," said Natasha Ramsey, MARC passenger.
Officials say passengers who use public transportation need to do their parts to stay safe.
"The whole issue of homeland security is police can't be everywhere, so you have a right and responsibility as a citizen to notify if you see something out of the ordinary," said Jawauna Green, spokesperson for the MTA.
So while security cameras roll at every MARC station and patrols make their rounds, the MTA urges riders to watch their backs.
Seeley remains at the hospital with a severely broken ankle. He is under close police watch.
Seeley has multiple convictions for drug offenses along with two open warrants for his arrest. He was also the victim of an August shooting.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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