Police Search for Man After Attempted Attack on Young Girl

California State Police are on the lookout for a man who allegedly tried to attack a 13-year-old girl, which led to the girl breaking his ankle during a struggle.

This incident took place in Carmel by the Sea on May 6th, according to her Jiu-Jitsu instructor, Michael Blackburn. He shared more details in a conversation with KSBW-TV.

Blackburn noted, “The individual was behaving strangely, perhaps indicating he might be under the influence or dealing with other personal issues.” He recounted how the attacker, who was reportedly blocking her path, struck her across the face.

The girl, armed with three years of Jiu-Jitsu training from Blackburn’s classes at the Carmel Youth Center, reacted swiftly. “She punched him, got him in a headlock, made him kneel a few times, and then threw him down,” Blackburn explained. “In the process, she accidentally broke his ankle.”

After that, the girl managed to escape to her home and was safe with her family, but the man fled the scene.

For her protection, the girl’s identity has not been disclosed, especially considering the suspect is still at large. Carmel Police Department Commander Todd Treyer mentioned that they have sketches based on descriptions of the attacker.

Treyer reiterated that the individual had been acting oddly, suggesting he may have been under the influence or facing personal issues.

Blackburn expressed his gratitude that his student was able to defend herself. “We told her we were proud of her; she did exactly what she was trained to do,” he added. “It’s crucial to treat practice like a real-life situation.”

Carmel By the Sea is a small tourist destination on California’s central coast, with a population of around 2,300 residents.

Police are continuing their investigation, compiling sketches and conducting interviews regarding the incident.