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He then became very aggressive about being asked what he was doing here, White says.
He said he was looking for a place to hang out.
Brian J. White, police arresting a arsonistGetty/Pau White Instagram
And were like, well, this isnt the place to hang out.
With their wives having already called the cops, the men decided to let the police handle the situation.
But the person became more aggressive, so we said, were making a citizens arrest, White says.
Brian White in ‘Hostages’John Paul Filo/CBS via Getty Images
So we took him down, detained him, and waited for the police.
Sixteen cruisers showed up within about seven minutes of us calling, and the rest is on the news.
White and his neighbors have lingering doubts.
It is one particular skill he had learned during his training for those roles that came in handy Thursday.
It was more a hostage negotiating training.
So I was trying to clearly communicate to the gentleman that I dont really care for an explanation.
While now reflects on the the split-second decision to jump into action, switching to a hero-protector mode.
I thought he had a gun when I ran right out there.
It makes me feel good that that was my instant reaction.
It makes me feel good that that was the reaction of all the neighbors that helped and responded.
Theyre willing to take on a little harm or risk for the greater good.
And thats what community and family and extended family is about.
While news trucks were on his street all night, he kept declining on-camera interviews.
They said, you on the news?
And oddly, you need a haircut, he says, laughing.
Im getting ready for a role, and I have an afro.
The group that apprehended the suspect set up a neighborhood watch after the incident.
Since then, every four hours theres cars cruising around seeing if anybodys in the neighborhood.
Meanwhile, the moms have started an online thread.
We are a family, that is our extended family, he says.
We all chose to live here, and this has made me keenly aware of that choice.
