HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A Houston-area middle school teacher is being hailed as a hero for springing into action to save a young girl who was being attacked by a man in east Houston.
The incident was caught on camera and investigators released a photo of the suspect. Anyone with information about his identity or whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers. Authorities said the suspect was wearing a black hoodie with a white Reebok logo, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes at the time of the attack.
Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators said it happened just before midnight on July 28. They said a 15-year-old girl was followed by a man when she got off a METRO bus near an apartment complex on Woodforest Boulevard just north of I-10 between Normandy Street and Uvalde Road on Houston's east side.
David Garza said he didn't think twice when he heard cries for help that night.
"I looked out the window and I saw a man beating up a woman on the ground ... trying to take her clothes off," he said.
He said he grabbed his gun and knew exactly what he had to do. Video caught the moment Garza jumped out of his apartment to help.
"I ran outside, asked what's going on. The girl screamed, 'I'm 15, help me!' I pointed the gun at him and told him to get off her," Garza said.
He said the suspect had her by the hair.
"He took his hands off right away. He went chasing after her, I went chasing after him and she got away," he said.
A neighbor said they believe Garza saved the girl from what could have been a tragedy.
"At first, I was scared, I thought she was going to get raped. I think if he didn't come out, she would have gotten raped," the neighbor said.
Andy Kahan, a victim advocate for Crime Stoppers, said he's grateful for Garza's quick-thinking and actions.
"I take my hat off to you -- you did the right thing," Kahan said.
Kahan said the suspect needs to get caught before he attacks someone else.
"If he's willing to do this, it makes me wonder -- is this your first time? We need to get you off the streets," he said.
Garza said it's not the first time he chased after a man who was trying to hurt a child and he would do it again.
"I think it's something anyone else would have done -- come help a child," Garza said.
Reward information
Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in this case. Information may be reported by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitted online at www.crime-stoppers.org, or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app. Only tips and calls DIRECTLY TO Crime Stoppers are anonymous and eligible for a cash reward.