A 16-year-old Florida girl named Valerie was almost allegedly abducted by a 32-year-old man named Brian Gamboa. While walking through her South Miami neighborhood, Gamboa allegedly tried to attack and kidnap her. However, Valerie was able to defend herself, kicking and punching Gamboa, setting herself free.
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The whole incident took place on Thursday, February 20. According to Valerie, who talked with WSVN, a visibly drunk Gamboa stumbled out of his car after he pulled right next to her.
"He just screamed, 'Shush,' and he went for my arm," Valerie told the outlet.
Valerie told CBS News Miami that she threw her cell phone at Gamboa and started kicking him after he allegedly grabbed her by her shoulders and began hitting her in the back of her head. However, things turned worse as Gamboa, a six-foot man, allegedly pushed her to the ground to subdue her.
"I pushed him off with this leg, so I can't bend this knee right now, and then I started hitting him with my phone, which is broken," Valerie told WSVN. Reportedly, Valerie also kicked him in the crotch, which ended up setting her free. "I got up as quickly as I could. When I got free, I kicked him, and I got up and ran to a neighbor," she added.
Arrested And Charged
Valeria then called South Miami Police and reported Gamboa. Police would then arrest Gamboa after he was involved in a hit-and-run incident at a nearby restaurant parking lot, according to PEOPLE. Valerie would then identify him as his attacker. Brian Gamboa was charged with attempted kidnapping and battery and was placed under house arrest.
Valerie suffered injuries due to the physical altercation. However, the 16-year-old is struggling mentally after the incident.
"It was really scary. I'm OK, except the fact that my knee is messed up. Like, I'm OK. I got pretty lucky; like, it could have been way worse for me," Valerie said. "I didn't want to have a story like that, I didn't want to have his impact on my life like that, so I was just fighting."
She would encourage others to "always fight back" and to "always scream for help" during similar situations.
