GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — Germantown Police arrested a teenager, who is accused of trying to kidnap and assaulting a woman on the Germantown Greenway Monday.
18-year-old Kimani Fisher is charged in the incident with false imprisonment and simple assault.
According to the affidavit, an exerciser passed a man wearing sweats and a hood up, near the Turtle Bayou portion of the Germantown Greenway.
Germantown Police said the suspect, later identified as Fisher, put his hand over the mouth of a woman exercising and said "do not scream, do not run and you're coming with me."
The victim said she rebuffed him and he ran away. She called 911.
The affidavit said officers later tracked Fisher down based on the victim's description of the attacker's clothing and build.
Those who use that same greenway often said the incident served as a self-defense wakeup call.
"It could have gone a lot worse had she not acted as quickly as she did. And having her phone and having that presence of mind I think is really key in finding that guy and preventing someone else from being in the same situation," Gibson Kelley said.
Kelley said she carries her keys pointed out between her fingers - along with attached pepper spray - when she runs alone.
Monday's incident drew plenty of comments about safety protocols on the social media pages of Memphis area running groups.
"You've seen a lot more posts, not only on the Breakaway page but other running groups, about, reminding us that even we are supposed to be socially distancing, still running with at least two or three other people is really important right now," Kelley said.
Experts also advise those exercising outside alone to vary your routes, ditch the headphones, and be aware of anything suspicious.
