The Claim: "People please look up the case. This kid sucker punched an off-duty firefighter when stepped in to defend an elderly couple being harassed by a group of six teens. This kid had been arrested three times that year for robbery and assault. He was turned over to police by his own mother. The real hero was the firefighter."

1. Introduction

The claim centers around an incident involving an off-duty firefighter who was attacked while intervening to protect an elderly couple from harassment by a group of teenagers. The assertion includes details about the alleged assailant's criminal history, his mother's involvement, and a characterization of the firefighter as a hero. This article will explore the available evidence surrounding this claim, assessing the reliability of the sources and the veracity of the statements made.

2. What We Know

Several reports confirm the occurrence of the incident in question. On May 19, 2019, John Mongiello, an off-duty firefighter, was assaulted by a teenager named Damir Johnson while trying to stop a group of teens from harassing an elderly couple on Manhattan's Upper East Side. Johnson allegedly punched Mongiello, resulting in a concussion and multiple broken teeth for the firefighter 1246.

Johnson, 17 at the time, was arrested and charged with assault 358. Reports indicate that he was part of a larger group of teens involved in the harassment 59. However, the specific claim that Johnson had been arrested three times that year for robbery and assault is not substantiated by the available sources. Furthermore, while it is noted that Johnson's mother was involved in turning him over to the police, the details surrounding this action are not elaborated upon in the reports 7.

3. Analysis

The sources used to report on this incident vary in their reliability and potential biases.

• ABC7 1, CBS News 4, and NBC New York 5 are established news outlets with a reputation for factual reporting. They provide consistent details about the incident, including the nature of the assault and the injuries sustained by the firefighter.

• Fox News 2 also reported on the incident, but it is important to note that Fox has been criticized for potential bias in its reporting, particularly regarding crime stories. This could influence how the narrative is framed.

• The New York Post 7 reported that Johnson claimed he was defending a friend during the altercation, which introduces an element of self-defense into the narrative. This claim, however, lacks corroboration from other sources and may reflect an attempt to shift blame.

• The Firehouse 3 and KTVU FOX 2 8 articles provide additional context about the injuries sustained by the firefighter and the nature of the assault, but they do not delve into Johnson's criminal history, which raises questions about the accuracy of the claim regarding his previous arrests.

The assertion that Johnson had been arrested three times for robbery and assault is significant but remains unverified by the sources consulted. Additional information from police records or court documents would be necessary to substantiate this claim fully.

4. Conclusion

Verdict: Mostly False

The claim that Damir Johnson had been arrested three times that year for robbery and assault is not supported by the available evidence, leading to the "Mostly False" verdict. While the incident involving the off-duty firefighter John Mongiello is confirmed, the specific details regarding Johnson's prior arrests lack verification from credible sources.

It is important to note that while Johnson was indeed involved in the assault on Mongiello, the characterization of his criminal history is exaggerated and unsubstantiated. Furthermore, the involvement of Johnson's mother in turning him over to the police is mentioned but not elaborated upon, leaving some ambiguity in the narrative.

This conclusion acknowledges the limitations of the available evidence, as further details from police records or court documents could provide a clearer picture of Johnson's background. Readers are encouraged to critically evaluate information and consider the context and reliability of sources when assessing claims of this nature.

5. Sources

1. ABC7. "Teen arrested in attack on off-duty FDNY firefighter defending elderly ..." Link
2. Fox News. "Off-duty FDNY firefighter attacked by teens after defending elderly ..." Link
3. Firehouse. "Teen Arrested in Off-Duty FDNY Firefighter Attack" Link
4. CBS News. "Police: Teen Arrested In Beating That Left Off-Duty Firefighter With ..." Link
5. NBC New York. "One of 6 Smiling Teens Sought in NYC Firefighter Attack Arrested ..." Link
6. CBS News. "NYPD: Off-Duty Firefighter Attacked By Teens After ..." Link
7. New York Post. "Suspect in FDNY beatdown claims he was defending friend" Link
8. KTVU FOX 2. "First arrest in teen group assault on firefighter" Link
9. Fox Sports Radio. "Off-Duty Firefighter Attacked By Teens After Defending ..." Link
10. YouTube. "Off-Duty Firefighter Attacked By Teens After Defending ..." Link