Latest news with #MichaelBlackburn
Newsweek
25-05-2025
- Newsweek
Young Teen Girl Fights Off Attacker Using Her Jiu-Jitsu Skills—Police
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A 13-year-old girl in Carmel-by-the Sea, California, fended off an attempted assault thanks to her jiu-jitsu skills, with police still looking for the would-be assailant. The girl's family asked for her identity to remain undisclosed, with the teenager hoping that her story will inspire women and other girls to learn self-defense skills that can save their lives. The Context Jiu-jitsu is a ground-based martial art that focuses on using leverage, technique, and position to control and submit an opponent by using techniques like joint locks, chokeholds, or compression locks. Carmel-by-the-Sea is home to just 2,300 residents but is a popular tourist destination due to its proximity to Monterey. California resident Katie Ring, also known by her TikTok account @ told Newsweek last year that she created the "Ted Bundy Rule" for self-defense, meaning to use caution if a woman is alone and a man approaches her looking for help. "This is important because dangerous people use this tactic to lure victims into compromising situations—one of the most famous being Ted Bundy," Ring told Newsweek. "He [Bundy] would pretend to be injured and ask women for help out to his car where he would attack, kidnap, and kill them. Do I believe all men who ask for help have bad intentions? No. But unfortunately, there have been enough cases that it's better to be safe than sorry." A police sketch released by the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department of the man who attempted to assault a 13-year-old in the town. A police sketch released by the Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department of the man who attempted to assault a 13-year-old in the town. Carmel-by-the-Sea Police Department What To Know The unnamed girl was walking home in Carmel-by-the Sea when a man tried to attack her, not knowing she had three years of jiu-jitsu lessons at the Carmel Youth Center under her belt, according to local news station WWNY. Her sensei, Michael Blackburn, told reporters that his pupil saw the man standing between two cars, and as she walked by, he stepped out and punched her in the face. In true martial arts fashion, the girl responded by punching him right back, then put him in a headlock and kneed him "a couple of times," spun him around, and threw him to the ground. "She had stepped on his foot doing all this, and when she threw him on the ground, he broke his ankle," Blackburn told local station KSBW 8. After she disabled her assailant, the girl sprinted home, where she arrived safely. View of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, is seen on October 18, 2022. View of Ocean Avenue in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California, is seen on October 18, 2022. Getty Images, Stock Photo What People Are Saying Sensei Michael Blackburn said: "I told her we were proud of her, and she did exactly as she was supposed to do. You have to fight in class like you're going to protect yourself on the street." Carmel Police Commander Todd Trayer told reporters that the department is "doing everything we can to figure out who this person is that's responsible for what happened." He added: "The person was acting unusual, like potentially under the influence of something or dealing with some other personal have that type of self-confidence, that awareness, to be a quick decision maker and make a decision that's going to keep themselves safe." What Happens Next? The police have provided a sketch to the public in hopes of getting leads as to the man's identity, track him down, and bring him to justice as he still remains on the loose.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Yahoo
California teenage girl fends off attacker by using jiu-jitsu
A 13-year-old California girl is reminding the public that knowing self-defense can save one's life after she reportedly used her martial arts training to fend off a stranger who tried to assault her – breaking the grown man's ankle in the process. The girl, whose name has not been widely shared, recently had to fight to protect herself three years since she began attending jiu-jitsu classes in Carmel, California, about 75 miles (120km) from San Jose, the local news station KSBW reported. Her jiu-jitsu instructor, Michael Blackburn, told the outlet that the teen was walking home from school on 6 May when a man she did not know stepped out from between two parked cars and tried 'to punch her in the face'. The girl immediately turned to her training to defend herself, as Blackburn put it. 'She punched him, she … got him in a headlock, kneed him a couple of times, spun him around, threw him on the ground,' said Blackburn, who teaches jiu-jitsu at the Carmel Youth Center. 'And she had stepped on his foot doing all this – and when she threw him to the ground, she broke his ankle.' The girl managed to run home safely. Meanwhile, her assailant fled. Police were not immediately able to identify a suspect in the foiled attack – and asked anyone in the quaint beach community with a population of about 3,100 to come forward if they had potentially helpful information. 'We're doing everything we can to figure out who this person [is who] is responsible for what happened,' the local police department commander, Todd Trayer, told KSBW. Trayer added that investigators surmise the man may have been under the influence of an intoxicant or 'dealing with some other personal issues'. Blackburn, for his part, said it broke his heart that his student was forced to face down such danger. However, he said to KSBW, he was grateful his student had mastered how to protect herself with jiu-jitsu, a Japanese style of weaponless fighting that emphasizes subduing opponents with holds, throws and paralyzing strikes. 'We're proud of her, and she did exactly what she was supposed to do,' Blackburn said. 'You have to fight in class like you're going to protect yourself on the street.' The girl said she hopes her story inspires others to learn self-defense, according to KSBW. Meanwhile, though they were shocked that one of their own could endure such frightening circumstances, residents said they indeed found inspiration in the girl's bravery. 'I think it was amazing what she did,' longtime Carmel resident Richard Cushman said to KION, another local news outlet. 'It's fantastic, but it's horrible what happened.' The Carmel Youth Center's chief executive officer, Keith Padgett, added to KION that the girl had authored 'a great story of survival'. 'A young person taking charge of their life and not letting anything happen to them – it's a sad story but a great ending,' Padgett remarked.
Daily Mail
25-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Brave 13-year-old girl leaves grown man attacker with major injuries using her jiu jitsu skills
California police are actively searching for a suspect involved in the attempted assault of a 13-year-old girl who bravely defended herself using her jiu-jitsu training. The terrifying incident took place nearly two weeks ago in Carmel-by-the-Sea as the teen was walking home from school through a quiet neighborhood—when she suddenly found herself under attack. According to authorities, the suspect—described as an adult male—was hiding between two parked cars when he suddenly lunged at the girl in an apparent attempt to physically assault her. 'Halfway home, and a gentleman was standing in between two cars and he stepped out to punch her in the face,' Sensei Michael Blackburn, the teen's instructor at the Carmel Youth Center, where she has been attending jiu-jitsu classes for the past three years, told 6ABC. What the attacker didn't expect was that the girl was far from defenseless. Drawing on techniques practiced over the course of several years, the girl reacted instinctively and with precision. 'She punched him, she got him in a headlock, kneed him a couple of times, spun him around, threw him on the ground. She had stepped on his foot doing all this, and when she threw him on the ground, he broke his ankle,' Blackburn said. Her quick and decisive response stunned the assailant long enough for her to break free and run home. Though shaken, she was physically unharmed and able to recount the incident to her family and law enforcement. To protect her privacy and ensure her safety while the suspect remains at large, the girl's identity is being withheld. Carmel police have released a composite sketch based on witness descriptions, but as of now, the suspect has not been identified. Investigators are urging the public to come forward with any information that could lead to his arrest. While her family is understandably rattled by the close call, they are also incredibly proud of how she handled the situation. Her instructor echoed that sentiment. 'I told her we were proud of her, and she did exactly as she was supposed to do,' Blackburn said. 'You have to fight in class like you're going to protect yourself on the street.' The Carmel Youth Center has long taught self-defense as more than just a physical skill—it's a mindset. Blackburn emphasized that what his student demonstrated wasn't just physical strength, but composure under pressure and the ability to take control in a high-stress moment. Now, the girl hopes her story will serve as a powerful reminder to others—especially young women—that self-defense can be a critical life skill. Her actions have already inspired conversations in the community about safety, awareness, and the importance of teaching kids how to protect themselves. 'She wants this to be a reminder that knowing how to protect yourself can truly make all the difference,' Blackburn said. As the investigation continues, anyone who may have seen something suspicious or who recognizes the suspect from the released sketch is encouraged to contact Carmel police immediately.
The Guardian
25-05-2025
- The Guardian
California teenage girl fends off attacker by using jiu-jitsu
A 13-year-old California girl is reminding the public that knowing self-defense can save one's life after she reportedly used her martial arts training to fend off a stranger who tried to assault her – breaking the grown man's ankle in the process. The girl, whose name has not been widely shared, recently had to fight to protect herself three years since she began attending jiu-jitsu classes in Carmel, California, about 75 miles (120km) from San Jose, the local news station KSBW reported. Her jiu-jitsu instructor, Michael Blackburn, told the outlet that the teen was walking home from school on 6 May when a man she did not know stepped out from between two parked cars and tried 'to punch her in the face'. The girl immediately turned to her training to defend herself, as Blackburn put it. 'She punched him, she … got him in a headlock, kneed him a couple of times, spun him around, threw him on the ground,' said Blackburn, who teaches jiu-jitsu at the Carmel Youth Center. 'And she had stepped on his foot doing all this – and when she threw him to the ground, she broke his ankle.' The girl managed to run home safely. Meanwhile, her assailant fled. Police were not immediately able to identify a suspect in the foiled attack – and asked anyone in the quaint beach community with a population of about 3,100 to come forward if they had potentially helpful information. 'We're doing everything we can to figure out who this person [is who] is responsible for what happened,' the local police department commander, Todd Trayer, told KSBW. Trayer added that investigators surmise the man may have been under the influence of an intoxicant or 'dealing with some other personal issues'. Blackburn, for his part, said it broke his heart that his student was forced to face down such danger. However, he said to KSBW, he was grateful his student had mastered how to protect herself with jiu-jitsu, a Japanese style of weaponless fighting that emphasizes subduing opponents with holds, throws and paralyzing strikes. 'We're proud of her, and she did exactly what she was supposed to do,' Blackburn said. 'You have to fight in class like you're going to protect yourself on the street.' The girl said she hopes her story inspires others to learn self-defense, according to KSBW. Meanwhile, though they were shocked that one of their own could endure such frightening circumstances, residents said they indeed found inspiration in the girl's bravery. 'I think it was amazing what she did,' longtime Carmel resident Richard Cushman said to KION, another local news outlet. 'It's fantastic, but it's horrible what happened.' The Carmel Youth Center's chief executive officer, Keith Padgett, added to KION that the girl had authored 'a great story of survival'. 'A young person taking charge of their life and not letting anything happen to them – it's a sad story but a great ending,' Padgett remarked.
New York Post
25-05-2025
- New York Post
California girl, 13, used jiu-jitsu training to defend herself against crazed attacker: ‘She got him in a headlock'
A 13-year-old California girl courageously used her jiu-jitsu training to defend herself when she was attacked by a crazed man while walking home from school, according to a report. The quick-thinking teen skillfully took down her unwitting assailant after he emerged from between two cars and attempted to strike her in the face — a blow she successfully blocked, her sensei told ABC News. 'She punched him, she got him in a headlock, kneed him a couple times, spun him around, threw him on the ground,' Sensei Michael Blackburn said of the harrowing May 6 incident in Carmel-by-the-Sea. 4 The quick-thinking teen skillfully took down her assailant after he emerged from between two parked cars and attempted to strike her in the face. KSBW 8 'She had stepped on his foot . . . and when she threw him on the ground, he broke his ankle.' The youngster then ran home as her battered attacker — who remains at large — lay on the ground. Blackburn, who has taught the teen the Brazilian martial art for the past three years, said he was devastated his student was ambushed but relieved she had the tools to protect herself. 4 Sensei Michael Blackburn has been teaching the young warrior jiu-jitsu for the past three years. KSBW 8 'I told her we were proud of her, and she did exactly as she was supposed to do,' Blackburn told the outlet. 'You have to fight in class like you're going to protect yourself on the street.' Local police still have no leads but believe the roughed-up brute may have been under the influence or struggling with personal issues when he aggressively charged at the gutsy warrior. 4 Police released a sketch of the suspect but still don't have any leads. KSBW 8 Authorities — who commended the resilient teen for her bravery — have since released a sketch of the suspect and are seeking the public's help as the investigation continues. 'You don't see it very often where a juvenile is brave like that,' Carmel Police Commander Todd Trayer said, KSBW reported. 4 KSBW 8 'To have that type of self-confidence, that awareness, to be a quick decision maker and make a decision that's going to keep themselves safe.' The determined young fighter — who did not want to be identified — hopes her story will inspire women and other girls to learn the skills that could one day save their lives.
