In a harrowing incident caught on surveillance footage, 13-year-old Kymorah Reid from Lauderhill, Florida, bravely fought off a man who allegedly tried to abduct her in broad daylight.
The incident occurred on Monday, Oct. 7, as Kymorah stepped off her school bus near the 5000 block of Northwest 18th Court.
The suspect, described as a light-skinned Black male in his late teens or early 20s, approached Kymorah from behind, grabbing her ankle. Acting quickly, the teenager screamed and kicked the man before escaping and calling for help.
“I was screaming at him, saying, ‘What are you doing? Get off me,’” Kymorah recounted to WPLG.
The attacker fled the scene on foot, and Kymorah sustained minor scrapes on her ankle and elbow but was otherwise unharmed.
Police Investigation and Reward
The Lauderhill Police Department is investigating the case as an attempted kidnapping. A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest.
“We don’t know if she was followed [or] if this guy was just casing the area waiting for a potential victim,” Officer Antonio Gonzales told WPLG. “She was definitely a brave child to put up a fight.”
The suspect was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and red shorts.
A Mother’s Shock and Gratitude
Kymorah’s mother, Lois Kerr, was shaken after seeing footage of the attack but expressed immense gratitude for her daughter’s courage and safety.
“It was devastating. Nerve-wracking, everything,” Kerr told NBC Miami. “They tried to kidnap my daughter… everything inside of me stirred, like turned upside down.”
Kerr has since been focused on reassuring Kymorah while calling for the suspect’s capture.
“She’s safe. She’s gonna be all right, and I won’t leave her side,” Kerr said.
A Call for Awareness
Kymorah used the experience as a call to action for other children, emphasizing the importance of staying alert.
“Pay attention, ’cause you never know when somebody might creep up on you and snatch you,” she said.
How to Help
Authorities urge anyone with information about the suspect to contact the Lauderhill Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
