A 13-year-old girl fought off a man who grabbed her while she was walking to Central Middle School in Galveston on Monday morning, biting him twice and breaking free before running to safety. School staff quickly alerted police, and the student was not seriously injured. Detectives are reviewing nearby surveillance footage and canvassing the neighborhood for witnesses.
Officers responded just before 7 a.m. after teachers reported a student had been approached and grabbed on her way to class, according to KFBK. Police say the girl heard footsteps, was grabbed from behind, bit the man twice, and then ran to the school; she suffered only minor scratches and bruises while fleeing the scene.
Investigators say surveillance from a nearby business appears to show a man following the student on the 1000 block of 24th Street before the assault, and the suspect is described as a White or Hispanic male wearing a black short-sleeve shirt, blue jeans, and what appeared to be a ski mask, per the Houston Chronicle. Authorities also alerted local medical facilities to report any patients with bite-related injuries as part of the search.
The girl's aunt told reporters the student had been walking roughly 20 blocks this school year after a bus route change and that the family is shaken by the encounter, according to Click2Houston. The aunt said the suspect grabbed the girl near her neck and mouth, and that police told the family they had footage of the man buying a ski mask earlier that morning.
Galveston police are asking anyone with information to call their tip line at 409-765-3777 or submit an anonymous report to Galveston County Crime Stoppers at 409-763-8477, as outlined by ABC News. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.
Galveston ISD issued a statement saying staff followed safety protocols and encouraged families to speak with children about personal safety and walking in groups when possible, according to Click2Houston. The episode has renewed community concern about student routes in the East End, and officials say they will continue canvassing the area as they pursue leads.
