‘I just started biting’: Galveston teen fights off man who police say tried to abduct her on walk to school
The attempted abduction happened just before 7 a.m. near the 900 block of 28th Street, according to the Galveston Police Department.
A Central Middle School teenager is sharing more about the brave moments she fought off a man who police say tried to abduct her during her walk to school on Monday morning.
“I had to react quick. I didn’t know what to do. I was scared,” the teen, who KPRC 2 News is not identifying, said.
The attempted abduction happened just before 7 a.m. near the 900 block of 28th Street, according to the Galveston Police Department.
The girl said she heard footsteps behind her and saw the man running at her while wearing a ski mask.
“He put his hands around my face, and I just started biting. And then I slid down his body, and turned around and I bit him in his private area, and he let go,” she said. “I feel like he had to have been watching me.”
She screamed and ran the couple more blocks to school, where a teacher contacted law enforcement. The man ran the other way, she said.
- ORIGINAL STORY: Galveston Police looking for man who allegedly tried to kidnap 13-year-old girl walking to school
Police put out an alert to local medical facilities for any patients who may have come in with bite injuries, but that didn’t appear to help.
The teen is glad her instincts kicked in.
“My parents have always told me if anyone ever grabs you don’t be like silent, always kick, scream, do something,” she said. ”Don’t just stand there and let someone take you away. So my first reaction was to do something."
The teen has been walking to school this year, a change from last year when she was able to ride the bus from her family’s home about a mile away from Central Middle School.
Galveston ISD confirmed changes to the district’s non-eligible transportation zones this school year.
“In accordance with state guidelines, students who live less than two miles from their assigned campus generally do not qualify for district-provided transportation,” a district spokesperson wrote in part in a statement to KPRC 2 News. “Bus stops and routes are planned with safety, accessibility, and efficiency in mind. Student safety remains GISD’s top priority as the district works to use transportation resources effectively and support safe travel to and from school.”
The teen said she’s scared to walk to school now and likely won’t be anymore.
In sharing her story, she hopes someone will recognize the man.
“I’m worried about him getting other little kids and like other people that don’t know how to really react or like someone that’s younger than me,” she said.
Galveston PD has not shared news of any arrest in the case yet.
Galveston ISD is urging families to talk with students about staying alert and walking in groups when possible.
Read Galveston ISD’s full statement about transportation changes: “Galveston Independent School District (GISD) updated its non-eligible transportation zones for the 2025–2026 school year to ensure safe and efficient student transportation. In accordance with state guidelines, students who live less than two miles from their assigned campus generally do not qualify for district-provided transportation.
In Galveston, areas such as Broadway (Avenue J | Highway 87) and 61st Street (FM 342), have been identified as unsafe for students to cross due to heavy traffic. Students are not required to cross major roadways to access their campuses or transportation services.
Bus stops and routes are planned with safety, accessibility, and efficiency in mind. Student safety remains GISD’s top priority as the district works to use transportation resources effectively and support safe travel to and from school."
