Atlanta, GA — Newly released bodycam footage shows a heart-stopping moment when a group of neighbors jumped into action to save Atlanta Police Officer Malik Safi after his patrol vehicle erupted in flames — with ammunition exploding inside the car due to the intense heat.
According to the Atlanta Police Department, the incident unfolded at around 10:22 p.m. on October 20, when Officer Safi was responding to assist another officer. While driving through the area, Safi suddenly lost control of his squad car, crashing directly into a residential home. The impact triggered a fast-moving fire that quickly engulfed the vehicle.
Brothers Race Toward Danger
As the flames spread, brothers Ryan Beck and Kashun Robinson, along with several nearby residents, rushed toward the burning patrol car to pull the injured officer to safety. The dangerous situation escalated when one of Safi’s firearms inside the vehicle began to discharge due to the heat.
Despite the risk, the group refused to back away.
Beck said they acted purely on instinct, explaining, “We just went off our heart. We don’t want to see anybody suffering in a moment like that. So we just jumped in and did what we had to do.”
Robinson agreed, saying their focus was on keeping Safi calm: “We were trying to comfort him, just making sure he knew he wasn’t alone.”
He added that once the ammunition started going off, everyone had to duck behind trees while still trying to move Safi to safety. “We managed to get him out of the yard, onto the sidewalk, and then everyone took cover as the rounds popped.”
A Quick Thinking Neighbor Calls for Backup
One of the rescuers grabbed Safi’s police radio and issued the urgent call for help.
The woman can be heard saying, “We have an officer down. Officer S-A-F-I. On North Avenue. Hurry — he’s been in a wreck. His leg is broken.”
Her call brought paramedics and additional officers racing to the scene. Emergency crews treated Safi and transported him to a local hospital, where he was found to have non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities confirmed that he is expected to recover.
Family Pride After a Courageous Act
The bravery of Beck and Robinson didn’t go unnoticed. Their mother, Keziah Reed, said she was overwhelmed with pride when she learned what her sons had done.
“I feel extremely proud of both of them,” Reed said. “They did exactly what they were raised to do — to help others and show empathy when someone is in danger.”
Community Heroes in the Spotlight
As officials continue to investigate the crash, the heroic actions of the neighborhood rescuers are gaining widespread praise. Their willingness to rush toward a burning vehicle — while ammunition exploded around them — likely saved Officer Safi’s life.
The department has not released further details about Safi’s recovery timeline, but they credited the quick response of the civilians with preventing a much worse outcome.
What do you think about the actions of these Good Samaritans? Have you ever witnessed or experienced a moment where everyday people stepped up in an emergency?
Drop your thoughts in the comments — your voice adds to the story.
