After witnessing a random attack on a woman last week, a local attorney and his son rushed to her aid.
According to authorities, the attack occurred last Friday, May 5, on W. Watrous Avenue near South Oregon Avenue in Hyde Park.
Charles McKeon and his son, Dalton, were on their way home from supper when they observed a woman in need.
“We heard a woman screaming and saw a woman running from our right to our left and a man chasing her. My son and I ran to help,” said Charles McKeon.
According to Tampa Police, the defendant, 34-year-old Esja Nodopa, grabbed the victim’s hair from behind and slapped her in the face multiple times with a closed fist, knocking her to the ground.
“I yelled at him to get off of her, get off of her. I drew my firearm and told him I would shoot him and he stopped hitting her and then he came at me and I allowed him to get too close to me and he hit me in the head. I fell, stumbled backwards, landed on the concrete, hit my head on the concrete and at that point, things got a little blurry,” said Charles.
Charles stated that as the suspect attempted to grab his gun, he fired one shot. According to Tampa Police, the bullet did not strike anyone and he responded in self-defense.
Dalton claimed he intervened between his father and the suspect. The suspect eventually left the scene. Officers discovered the suspect near Rome Avenue and Bayshore Boulevard, according to police.
“I couldn’t even have a voice. I tried to yell at him to get off my dad, but I just couldn’t even speak. It was all just kind of in shock, I guess you could say,” said Dalton.
The 30-year-old victim was interviewed by ABC Action News. She stated that she had been released from the hospital and posted images of her injuries a few days later. According to police, she received severe facial injuries as well as a concussion.
“It could happen to anyone and we’re just happy she’s okay because this isn’t about us; it’s about her and about people watching their surroundings,” said Dalton.
Tampa Police said the suspect was arrested for one count of aggravated battery with great bodily harm and one count of battery.