Miami Teen’s Bold Fight Against Kidnapper: “Always Fight Back!”
In a harrowing encounter on February 20, 16-year-old Valerie from South Miami tackled what could have been an abduction head-on. As she was simply strolling through her neighborhood, a drunken 32-year-old man named Brian Gamboa tried to pull her into his car. Talk about creepy, right?
Valerie recounted the terrifying moment to the press, explaining that Gamboa emerged from his vehicle in a dizzy, wobbly state before trying to drag her away. “He grabbed me by my shoulders and started hitting me in the back of my head,” she bravely recalled. However, this young warrior didn’t let fear overpower her; she fought back with full force. From hurling her phone at him to kicking and punching, Valerie showed that a fierce spirit can turn the tables even in grave danger.
Things escalated rapidly when Gamboa shoved her to the ground, but that didn’t stop her. In a moment of sheer courage, she “dragged him down with [her]” and delivered a swift kick to the groin before sprinting for safety while calling for help. Talk about fighting like a lioness. In a twist of fate, Gamboa subsequently crashed his car in a hit-and-run in a nearby restaurant parking lot—not the smooth getaway he might have hoped for—which led to his arrest.
Despite sustaining a knee injury during the altercation, Valerie, thankfully, escaped with relatively minor injuries. With cuts visible on Gamboa’s forehead after their brawl, it seems he certainly met his match that day. Valerie has since expressed that she feels lucky, as things could have turned out much worse. Her determination to spread the message of fighting back against attackers is commendable, urging others: “Always fight back, no matter how scary the situation is, and always scream for help.”
After being apprehended, Gamboa now faces serious charges, including attempted kidnapping and battery of a minor. He has been placed under house arrest after posting a substantial bond, but rest assured, Valerie and her community will be watching this situation closely. Survivors speak out, reminding us all of the importance of self-defense and the courage it takes to confront danger head-on.
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, CBS News Miami, WSVN
