Doo Doo the Clown and Edmonton cousin hailed for heroism

A troop of clowns, squeezed into a Hummer, spring into action to save the day. It may sound like the beginning of a bad joke, but this good Samaritan story is no laughing matter.

Edmonton's Sam Faberman and his cousin, Doo Doo the Clown — a frequent performer in the city — are being hailed as heroes after protecting two women from a violent assault in downtown Toronto.

The entire incident, caught on Doo Doo's dashcam, has since gone viral, and the clown has even been given an award for bravery.

The pair spoke about the experience during a Friday morning interview with Edmonton AM radio show host Mark Connolly.

"It was really terrifying," said Doo Doo, whose real name is Shane Faberman. "This has been a humbling, overwhelming experience."

It all started near the corner of Front Street West and Bathurst Street in downtown Toronto last Sunday.

Doo Doo and two other clowns had spent the day performing at a party. Faberman, who is currently studying in Ontario, had been helping the troupe with their performance, making balloon animals.

They were all hitching a ride home when they noticed a seemingly-crazed man attacking two women on the street, striking one of them in the face.

"I was thinking, 'This is crazy'," Doo Doo said. Doo Doo was in full make-up and costume when he called police before rolling down his window and getting the women into the Hummer.

But the attacker was relentless, confronting another stranger and throwing him to the ground.

That's when Sam sprung into action.

"Adrenaline mode went on, I just reacted. I got out. I heard the guy call out for help and no one was helping him at the time so I ran over there and starting shouting at the guy to back off."

The attacker then turned his attention back to the Hummer, smashing the windows and trying to pry open the doors, ripping off the side mirror.

"He was just giving us a look of death and growling at these women," said Doo Doo, who is glad no one was seriously hurt.

"I was proud of my cousin, but on the other hand you don't have time to think in that situation. Thank goodness that guy turned around because if he had confronted my cousin ... I mean it took eight officers to hold him down."

The seemingly-crazed man was eventually detained by police who reported the 25-year old suspect was under the influence of crystal meth at the time.

Doo Doo performs often at West Edmonton Mall, the Stollery Children's Hospital and Ronald MacDonald House. He'll be back in Edmonton next February.