The teenager did everything right and went way beyond her call of duty. Not only did she help the victim, she fought off the suspect and rescued the victim's 2-year-old son. This teenager is truly amazing.
"I was very proud, that was her civic duty - she did it," said the 17-year-old's father.
The father of a girl being hailed as a hero said he is very proud that his eldest daughter had the bravery to fight off a suspected rapist.
"I was surprised that she was able to do something like that," said the 17-year-old's father.
The teenager was sitting at a table in her apartment Monday afternoon when a woman came running through her front door screaming that she had been raped. After giving the woman a blanket, the suspected rapist, 27-year-old Juanito Antonio Gonzales, came into the apartment. The 17-year-old grabbed two kitchen knives. The teenager fought off Gonzales, called 911 and rescued the victim's 2-year-old son who was still in the victim's apartment.
"She said 'No you need to know to get out! We are calling the police, get out!' And she put herself in harms way - in between the victim and the attacker, that is why believe she is a hero,'" said Sgt. Mike Sullivan, San Jose Police Department.
The high school junior is back at school today; although school officials say she is very shaken up.
The San Jose Police Department is just in awe of her bravery and she will be honored at a future city council meeting for her heroism.
