FLEMING ISLAND, Fla. – A 14-year-old was arrested after Clay County deputies said he threatened a Fleming Island Walmart customer with a knife and demanded she have sex with him.
According to the Clay County Sheriff's Office, a man who was nearby stepped in with his gun to help. Deputies said he had a concealed-carry license and did the right thing.
According to the incident report, the assault happened Tuesday around 6 p.m. at the Walmart on County Road 220. In a Facebook post, the women explained she thought the teen wanted to help her with groceries, but as he approached he told her, "I want you to have sex with me. I've got a knife in my pocket."
When she saw a man walking by the aisle, she yelled for help, the Sheriff's Office said. News4Jax spoke with that man, who wished to remain anonymous.
When the man heard the cry for help, he drew his gun, which he was licensed to carry and stopped the teenager. According to the man, the woman said the teen threatened to stab her if she didn't comply.
"I immediately looked at him (the teen) and said, "Are you serious? Did you say that," the man said. "The scariest part was he responded with a nod or a yes, and it wasn’t a questionable nod."
Sgt. Keith Smith with the Clay County Sheriff's Office said it's a reminder that something like this can happen to anyone.
"She did exactly what she needed to do as for as making contact with someone and getting them involved, to at least bring attention to herself and what was going on," Smith said.
News4Jax is not identifying the 14-year-old suspect due to his age. He was taken for a mental evaluation before being taken to a juvenile detention center.