How To Save A Life
Posted by Matthew Furman | Filed under Blog, Brooklyn, Personal Work, Stories
This is Salvador.
He works the morning shift at the bodega that is on the ground floor of our apartment building. So every morning around 4am I hear him lift the metal gate up. I usually just go back to sleep, but a few months ago I heard it go up, and then I heard some commotion. I went into the living room and put my ear to the floor. I heard some more commotion and I thought some yelling. But wasn’t sure. I then grabbed my phone and waited to hear something else before I made the call. Just then I heard a scream. Holy Shit. Salvador was being robbed.
Long story short, 3 guys armed with guns and ski masks tied Salvador up and beat him pretty good while trying to find some $(there was none). Since I heard it happening I of course called 911 and then posted up in front of our door with the biggest knife I could find(only thing I could think of at the time). The cops got there pretty quick and all 3 robbers scattered. 2 of them jumped out of the window just a few feet from the door to our apartment. The other one tried to lift the gate and run out the front, but the cops chased him down. He eventually ratted out his 2 friends, and all 3 are now in jail.
Scary event for sure. But for Salvador it was REALLY scary. He’s convinced they were going to kill him, so he thinks I’m his guardian angel or something.
Now he’s always there to help carry that extra bag of laundry, groceries, photo gear, etc. Which is great, and really sweet of him. But it wasn’t until the other night after a long and grueling day of shooting that I realized the bond we now share. I opened the front door and there he was with a big smile and an ice cold Corona for me.
Now that’s a guardian angel.
8 Responses to “How To Save A Life”
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craig laCourt Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 10:56 AMthat is an amazing story and a couple of beautiful photos. be well…
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Scott Bleicher Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:28 AMGood story man. Glad you decided to tell it on the blog with a few nice portraits of Salvador. Well told.
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Dennis Pike Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:44 AMnot much I can say that hasn’t been said. LOVE the photos
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Matthew Furman Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 11:49 AMThanks for the compliments everybody. Much appreciated -
Martha Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 2:49 PMGlad you were there, Matt.
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shirley Says:
January 26th, 2010 at 8:19 PMthat’s the best thing i’ve heard all year. glad everyone is okay!
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nik west Says:
January 27th, 2010 at 12:05 AMYeah that’s scary! Love the portraits!
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THE OUTFIT Says:
January 27th, 2010 at 11:08 AMThats an awesome story. How big was your knife again?
