A brave 16-year-old unleashed a barrage of punches and kicks to fight off a creep from New York who tried to abduct her early Thursday morning in South Miami.
The teen was walking with her friends in a suburban neighborhood just after midnight when Brian Gamboa, 32, pulled up to her in his vehicle and tried to force her into his car, according to reports.
“A guy came out of the car, he approached me and started attacking me by my shoulders and the back of my head,” the teen told CBS News Miami. “I fought back – I threw my phone at him, I started kicking him, I started screaming, I started punching him.”
Brian Gamboa is accused of trying to abduct a teenage girl in South Miami. Miami-Dade Corrections
Gamboa allegedly tried to overpower the girl and pushed her to the ground, but she fought back.
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“I dragged him down with me,” she added. “Then I kicked him in the crotch and the head and ran off. I screamed for help at a neighbor’s door.”
The teen, identified as a 16-year-old named Valerie, said that Gamboa appeared “drunk” and was “really wobbly,” according to WSVN.
The teen escaped and called the police immediately but Gamboa wasn’t spotted until a few hours later after he was involved in a hit-and-run crash outside of a South Miami restaurant.
Miami-Dade police arrested Gamboa Tuesday on charges of attempted kidnapping and battery of a child. Gamboa’s bond was set at $30,000 and was placed under house arrest.
Gamboa appeared in his mugshot with fresh scratches on his face and a major gash on his forehead after the teen’s fierce fight.
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The 16-year-old victim got injured as she fought the man and ran to safety. WPLG Local 10“Hopefully, he goes to jail for a very long time,” the victim said. WPLG Local 10
Police said that Gamboa, who was originally from New York but living in Miami, had prior offenses including possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license, CBS reported.
Gamboa had a warrant out for leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, police records show.
First-degree kidnapping in Florida carries a prison sentence of up to 30 years and a $10,000 fine.
“It was really scary. I’m OK, except the fact that my knee is messed up,” Valerie told WSNV. “Like, I’m OK. I got pretty lucky; like, it could have been way worse for me. 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.”
A mother in Miami Gardens has been sentenced to five years of probation after her 2-year-old son accidentally shot himself with a gun he found in her purse.
According to police, the incident happened last summer at an apartment complex in Miami Gardens. Authorities say the toddler grabbed his mother’s firearm from her purse and accidentally pulled the trigger, shooting himself in the leg.
Video captured at the scene showed the child being rushed to the hospital on a stretcher. The boy survived and has since fully recovered.
The child’s mother, 35-year-old Christina Monique Doyle, was arrested and charged with child neglect and culpable negligence for allowing easy access to the weapon. Prosecutors said those charges carried a possible sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
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During a court hearing, the presiding judge, Alberto Milian, emphasized the responsibility that comes with gun ownership.
“I am a very pro-gun person, but along with the right and the privilege of having a gun comes responsibilities,” Milian said.
Doyle ultimately accepted a plea deal where she pleaded no contest, allowing her to avoid jail time. Instead, she was sentenced to five years of probation.
Her attorney, Dustin Tischler, said Doyle has no prior criminal record and described the incident as a mistake.
“She’s 35 years old, never been in trouble whatsoever in her life,” Tischler said. “She’s a very good mother, a very caring mother to several children. This has been a nightmare, and she’s happy to get it behind her.”
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Tischler also said the case should serve as a warning to gun owners about keeping firearms secure around children.
“Even though she had it in her purse and thought it was secure, the child was able to get to it when she was distracted,” he said. “If you have a firearm, it’s important to keep it locked away.”
Tischler said Doyle has completed a parenting program through the Florida Department of Children and Families and how she is allowed to have contact with her children, including her son who is now doing well after recovering from the injury.
NBC6 reached out to DCF about the case but we haven’t heard back yet.
Miami’s own pays tribute to former teacher on SNL Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.
NEW YORK CITY — Miami’s own Marcello Hernandez brought a piece of home to SNL for his latest performance, giving a tribute to his hometown and a special teacher in that classic Miami accent.
During his performance, Hernandez definitely brought the character of “Mr. Fronzi” to life.
The over-the-top teacher with a big heart was a character inspired by his real-life theology teacher at Miami-Dade’s private Belen Jesuit Preparatory School, Angie Fernandez.
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And Hernandez even flew her up to New York City to see the skit live in person.
“When I saw the skit, I was flabbergasted. I laughed from here to eternity. It was so good,” Fernandez said. “I am so honored that he chose to imitate me. That’s the best compliment you can give somebody!”
Fernandez said that while Hernandez drove her crazy in her classroom, he was also always humble, honest and she calls him one of her favorite students.
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Jenise Fernandez
Jenise Fernandez is a six-time Emmy award winning anchor and reporter at Local 10 News. Currently, she anchors the 3 p.m. and 10 p.m. news, Monday through Friday.
