Security video shows woman in gym fighting off attacker
Author of the article
enette Wilford
Published Feb 17, 2023 • Last updated 1 day ago • 2 minute read
A Florida woman bravely defended herself against an attacker at a gym – and the dramatic incident was caught on camera.
Nashali Alma, 24, was exercising at the gym in her apartment complex in Tampa when a man is seen at the entrance.
The security video, released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, shows Alma opening the door and then going back to her workout.
In the edited clip from Jan. 22, the man approaches Alma and grabs her.
“As soon as he was approaching me, I pushed him,” Alma says in video accompanying the footage.
“I said, ‘Bro, what the eff are you doing? Get away from me. Stop trying to touch me.’”
That’s when he chased her around a bench and they ended up sparring on the other side of the gym.
Alma can be seen fending off the attacker before he pins her to the floor.
However, Alma, a fitness coach, finds a way to get back on her feet and run to a nearby apartment where she called 911.
Xavier Thomas-Jones, 25, was later identified as a suspect.
The accused, who lives in the apartment complex, allegedly attacked another woman the following day, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by WTVT.
He allegedly knocked on the woman’s door and asked if she wanted to “hang out” before stepping into her home.
The woman’s fiancée allegedly chased the man away and took a video of him, the outlet reported.
In court documents, Thomas-Jones allegedly admitted to restraining and battering Alma because he wanted to have sex with her.
He allegedly found the second victim “pretty” and also had sexual intentions towards her.
Thomas-Jones faces multiple charges, including sexual battery and false imprisonment. He remains in jail and is being held without bond.
“I was disgusted by the suspect’s actions, how he preyed on this young woman,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the video. “This woman’s strength, courage, and determination are inspiring. I know that her bravery to share this story will impact the lives of many other women.”
Alma said she wanted to share her experience so other women in her situation would be inspired to fight for their own survival.
“Never give up. As long as you fight back and show him that you’re strong and you’re not giving up, I believe it’s possible to escape,” she said.
“It’s better to reach out to law enforcement sooner than later. The sooner they have the information, the sooner they can catch that person.”
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Surveillance video caught the moments a stranger started attacking a Tampa woman and her efforts to fight back inside an apartment complex gym.
fox13news.com
A Florida woman bravely defended herself against an attacker at a gym – and the dramatic incident was caught on camera.
torontosun.com
