High School Senior Cleans Streets at 2 am After NY Riots, Rewarded With College Scholarship, New Car

Illustration - Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Eighteen-year-old Antonio Gwynn was watching live streams of the rioting and destruction on Bailey Avenue in his hometown of Buffalo, New York. It was 2 a.m., and Gwynn was simply unable to stand by and do nothing about it.

“I felt disgusted. My nerves were bad,” he told ABC of the violence that took place on Monday night. “They’re destroying a city that could actually be very beautiful.”

So, the Hutch Tech senior got dressed, bought a few garbage bags, grabbed a broom and dustpan, and went to work cleaning up the aftermath.

“It was just me by myself. I just started riding up and down Bailey to see where stuff was destroyed so I can clean it up,” said Gwynn. He spent around 10 straight hours sweeping and cleaning up the mess through the early morning.

Gwynn, who lost his mother in 2018, said it was her memory that inspired his actions that day. “It’s something that she would do probably because I mainly try to be just like her or something similar because I don’t want to be a follower,” he said. “I want to lead sometimes also.”

However, locals in Buffalo noticed his charitable act and ensured that it would not go unrewarded.

Matt Block saw a 7 Eyewitness News report on Gwynn’s good deed and decided to pay it forward by giving him a 2004 red convertible Mustang.

“I couldn’t come to grips with selling it and this was a good way for me to get rid of it and know someone that gets it is going to appreciate it,” Block told ABC. The car had special significance to Gwynn, incidentally, as it was the exact same car that his mom once had—the same color and all, he said.

Yet, there was still more good karma in store for the teen. Soon, Bob Briceland from Briceland Insurance Agency had also offered him free auto insurance for a year for his new ride. “I just felt compelled to help him out. We just need to get together our whole city and show people how there’s so many good people here,” said Briceland.

And then, something even more incredible happened.

Medaille College offered Gwynn a full-ride scholarship. The young man had initially intended to enter trade school and save up for college. Now, that goal will be reached much sooner. Gwynn wants to study business while studying mechanics on the side, he says, and hopes to own his own repair shop one day.

“I always wanted to be someone to help everyone with their car problems,” he shared. “This is a great opportunity I have right in front of me.”

Gwynn was driving when he heard the good news. “I literally stopped, pulled over, and started crying,” he said. “So did my great aunt. My little cousin did also.”

Yet, Gwynn plans to continue his acts of kindness. He says he’s been helping out his family members, like his aunt, who has always been there for him. “I helped pay her rent and I got her the same phone I have,” Gwynn said.