Officials with Crime Stoppers said a suspect believed to be responsible for an attack at an apartment complex in east Houston was taken into custody.
It’s unclear when the suspect was taken into custody and his name has not been released. It’s also unclear what charges he will face in connection with the incident.
Part of the incident was caught on surveillance cameras.
On Tuesday, investigators told KHOU 11 News that a middle school teacher sprang into action to save the young girl when she was being attacked at the apartment complex.
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 wearing only his boxers.
“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.
“I take my hat off to you — you did the right thing,” Kahan said. “If he’s willing to do this, it makes me wonder — is this your first time? We need to get you off the streets.”
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.
