Atlanta, GA
With a split second to react, bystanders jump in to save baby from kidnapping near Ponce City Market
Two bicyclists on the Atlanta BeltLine noticed a person attacking a girl and a child, attempting to take the child; they saved them and helped police catch the person.
ATLANTA — Two individuals who helped save a child from being kidnapped whereas on the Atlanta BeltLine final week mentioned Tuesday that they didn’t have time to suppose or be afraid; they jumped in to assist, immediately and instinctively.
It was Thursday, April 21, at about 11:00 a.m., on a stretch of the Beltline close to Ponce Metropolis Market and North Avenue, NE, after they witnessed a person attacking the lady and child.
“This man was attacking her and the child, 4 months outdated,” mentioned Terri Duda, describing the second when she was using her bicycle on the path, as she typically does, and noticed the child and woman–the kid’s babysitter–just forward of her, being assaulted.
The girl was “screaming and yelling, ‘This man is attacking me!’” Duda mentioned.
She immediately intervened, as did one other bicyclist.
“A gentleman in a shiny, yellow, fluorescent jersey reached into his again jersey pocket and pulled out pepper spray,” Duda mentioned, talking of Gordon Ragan.
“It was only a break up second, actually,” Ragan mentioned.
He remembers that when he noticed the person attempting to seize the child’s stroller and heard the lady’s screams, he drove his bicycle straight between them, forcing the person to again away from the lady and child.
“It was identical to, I search for and it is taking place after which I am on them,” Ragan mentioned.
He and Duda mentioned that when the person noticed Ragan pull out the pepper spray, the person took off down the BeltLine.
Ragan adopted him, whereas Duda stayed with the lady and child, and referred to as 911.
“I instructed her, you realize, ‘I am going to stick with you,’” she mentioned. “We have been alone for an excellent quarter-hour, and I instructed her to breathe. And I referred to as 911 and she or he referred to as her boss… the mother of the child, who got here. I simply type of stayed with the nanny and type of soothing her, and simply calming her down and letting her know she did an amazing job. As a result of she actually did. I imply, she referred to as consideration to it and let the folks know that she was there defending the child.”
Ragan adopted the person to the close by Kroger grocery store, and located two safety officers and a retired Fulton County Police officer. He identified the person to them, instructed them what he’d simply witnessed the person do, and so they held the person till police arrived.
“It appeared like everybody was leaping in to assist,” Ragan mentioned. “And that made me really feel good.”
He and Duda each keep in mind a number of others on the BeltLine that morning attempting to help the lady and child, and maintain eyes on the person till police arrived.
“She was so grateful they bought him,” Duda mentioned. “I simply admire humanity and the way everybody got here collectively in that second to assist this girl. And I simply really feel proud to be part of that.”
She and Ragan had by no means met earlier than the incident, and haven’t talked with one another since. They’re each again using their bikes on the BeltLine.
“I am extra cautious,” Duda mentioned. “I bought my very own pepper spray on-line yesterday. I do not go within the components of Piedmont Park which might be a bit extra remoted. So, I am extra cautious and nervous. I am nonetheless going to take pleasure in it. However, yeah, it made me have second ideas.”
Ragan mentioned he’s since thought of what he did–confronting the lady’s attacker with out excited about his personal safety–realizing he by no means gave a thought as as to if the person may need been armed with a gun.
He smiled, saying he and his spouse had an extended discuss afterwards.
“Yeah, my spouse will not be fairly as completely happy about it. I do know she’s completely happy for the lady, and the child within the stroller, however she’s given me a few evil eyes about, you realize, ‘We do not need you getting killed,’ and stuff. So, you realize, it makes me cease to suppose. However the factor was, a few different guys walked up, after which a 3rd man walked up,” Ragan mentioned. Nonetheless, he mentioned he and his spouse don’t have any doubts in any respect that he would do all of it once more the identical approach if it have been ever needed.
The infant’s mom instructed 11Alive Information that her son and his nanny are okay. As quickly because the mom arrived on the scene, the child and nanny bought the all clear from emergency responders with out both of them having to be transported to a hospital, and so they went house secure and sound.
“I am so grateful for the brave and type individuals who helped my son and his nanny,” the mom instructed 11Alive. “I hope as a neighborhood we keep vigilant and proceed to look out for one another.”
The person arrested was charged with a felony–attempted kidnapping. Police are usually not saying, but, what his motive may need been.
ATLANTA – The students at Horizons Atlanta programs across the metro are using the summer to get ahead not just in their studies, but in their careers.
The nonprofit is focused on closing opportunity gaps in education and in the workforce for students.
What we know:
Students at Horizons Atlanta never packed away their pencils and pens for the summer. The nonprofit serves 1,300 students at 11 sites across the metro.
“Typically, our scholars come to us eight to 12 weeks behind their peers in their grade level, and by the time they leave us they are often ahead of those 12 weeks,” executive director Ann Marie Bedtke said.
In between literacy and math, these students are also learning drama, STEM, chess, music, and so much more. One of the top priorities is showing students what they can achieve outside the classroom.
Horizons Atlanta is a nonprofit that offers six weeks of programming during the summer to help underserved students academically. (FOX 5)
“Our curriculum is centered around workforce development, and so our students are able to get exposed to the many programs that we provide at the Atlanta Technical College that can spark an interest and transform their lives in addition to their families’ lives,” Sharron McIntyre said. She’s the site director of the program at Atlanta Technical College.
What they’re saying:
McIntyre has seen that spark ignite firsthand in Horizons Atlanta scholar Nya Gipp. The rising junior started here the summer before Kindergarten.
“I have learned communication skills, giving back to my community, how to do multiple careers, from engineering to culinary to what I found my passion in: aviation,” Gipp said.
Gipp’s dream of being a pilot started after a trip to the airfield through Horizons Atlanta. She started working toward her goal right away and entered a college academy through her high school to learn how to fly drones. And this past May, she flew a plane at the Academy of Aviation.
“So it’s just a lot of studying and a lot of hard work that went into what you need to, but all of it is very very rewarding, but it’s a very knowledgeable experience to have, and a very big experience to have when you’re young and trying to become not just a pilot, but also a drone pilot,” she said.
This summer Gipp is back at Horizons Atlanta at Atlanta Technical College, working as a Volunteen and sharing what she’s learned with the students.
“It’s just been a very good experience to give back to people that I have not only grown with but that I love,” the high school junior said.
Nya Gipp is now sharing what she learned with other Horizons Atlanta students. (FOX 5)
It’s a full circle moment for Nya, and for the teachers here who have watched her reach new heights.
“It brings tears to my eyes that this program started it for her, but the fact that she’s able to come back and transform lives,” McIntyre said.
What you can do:
Gipp even has her own business teaching other young people how to fly drones. You can find more here: https://fearlessaltitude.com.
If you’re interested in learning more about Horizons Atlanta and what they do for students year-round, you can find more here: https://www.horizonsatlanta.org.
The Source: Lindsay Tuman reported this story for Good Day Atlanta.
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Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever picked up a much-needed win against the Atlanta Dream, snapping a short losing streak and making a statement in the process.
a 17-point bounce back win at home 😤#FeverWin pic.twitter.com/TY1aB1lc36
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 12, 2025
Heading into the game, Indiana had dropped two straight and was looking for a spark. The team had shown it could compete with top-tier opponents, beating teams like the Liberty and Lynx earlier this season, but putting together consistent performances has been a challenge.
MORE: Loud music, and louder snoring end Candace Parker’s private jet adventures with Shaq
Against Atlanta, they found their groove. Indiana controlled the pace and came out on top with a 99-82 victory, led by Clark’s steady hand and playmaking.
The game was especially memorable for Clark, who reached 950 career points faster than nearly anyone in league history. According to Polymarket Hoops, she’s now the sixth fastest player to reach that mark.
Caitlin Clark is the 6th fastest player in WNBA history to reach 950 career points. pic.twitter.com/hX0WJ6W2jF
— Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) July 12, 2025
Clark finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and nine assists. She helped Indiana outplay a Dream team that featured Brittney Griner, Allisha Gray, and Rhyne Howard. Griner had 10 points, eight rebounds, and one assist in the loss.
Caitlin Clark drives to the basket for the and-1 💪 pic.twitter.com/ks7ACdOuhB
— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 12, 2025
This season, Clark has averaged 17.4 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 8.6 assists per game. It’s been another strong campaign for the second-year guard, though injuries have been part of the story. She missed time earlier this year with a groin strain and later dealt with a leg injury, but has continued to be a key piece for the Fever.
Clark’s performance against Atlanta showed that, when she’s healthy and on the floor, she’s still one of the most exciting players in the WNBA.
Indiana will host Paige Bueckers and the Dallas Wings Sunday afternoon.
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