Former high school wrestler Gabriel Pitzulo became a hero when he used his wrestling skills to save a Subway employee from an attack by an enraged customer. The incident occurred on March 22 in an Indianapolis restaurant during Pitzulo’s lunch break. The customer, identified as Daniel Saunders, threw something at the female employee and spit on her in front of a crowd of other bystanders. Pitzulo immediately sprang into action to protect the employee.
Surveillance footage captured Pitzulo charging at the assailant and holding him down on the ground until police arrived. Other witnesses at the scene locked the doors and called the authorities while Pitzulo kept the attacker pinned to the floor. The former wrestler was able to maintain control over the man for the three minutes it took for law enforcement to arrive. Pitzulo recounted that there were some verbal exchanges between himself and the suspect during the incident.
When police arrived, they allowed Pitzulo to handcuff the man he had helped arrest. They commended his bravery and thanked him for his quick thinking and actions. Pitzulo, who works as a welder, had never considered a career in law enforcement before the incident. He hopes that his actions will serve as an inspiration for other young men to intervene when they witness violence or crime in their communities.
Pitzulo has been making media appearances to share his story in the hopes of encouraging others to stand up for innocent people in their neighborhoods. He believes that his actions convey a message against toxic masculinity and promote the importance of protecting those in need. Saunders, the assailant, was charged with battery injury, battery resulting in bodily injury, and disorderly conduct-fighting/tumultuous conduct according to police records. Pitzulo’s quick thinking and bravery in the situation have earned him widespread recognition and gratitude from the public.