Teen says man in all black jumped out of woods, tried to grab cross-country runners in Gwinnett

GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. — A 14-year-old Gwinnett County girl said she and members of her cross-country team were on their morning run when someone in all black jumped out of the woods and tried to grab her.

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Channel 2′s Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson learned that the incident happened Monday morning around 8:30 a.m. at Peachtree Ridge Park.

The girl’s mother, who asked to remain anonymous, told Johnson that her daughter was running on a trail when a man, dressed entirely in black, lunged at her. The girl quickly diverted off the trail and ran through the woods to get away.

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It happened right as the teen’s running partner had gotten ahead, leaving her alone. The man tripped over a log while he ran after her, which allowed the teen to get to safety.

“She just ran straight for her running partner, and then they went straight to the coaches with the information,” her mother said.

Police responded around 8:30 a.m. and immediately began searching the park. They are looking for a suspect described as wearing a black hoodie, black pants, a black beanie, and possibly carrying a guitar case.

Now, her family is urging other runners to stay vigilant.

“Keep an eye on your kids, because you never know when something like this could happen,” the teen’s mother said.

Police are hoping anyone who saw something unusual can help them to identify and find the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call Gwinnett County police

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