Detroit gas station clerk saved teenage girl from man after she mouthed 'help' to him
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Abdulrahman Abohatem, a young Yemeni immigrant working at a Detroit Sunoco gas station, is being hailed as a hero for rescuing a 16-year-old girl who silently mouthed “help” while being held at gunpoint by a suspected rapist.
- The suspect, 48-year-old Donald James Joseph Arthur Fields, was arrested and charged with multiple serious crimes including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, and felonious assault; he has a prior history of sexual assault and home invasion charges.
- The teenager was abducted while waiting for a bus but was tracked by fellow students using a social media app, enabling police to respond quickly and apprehend the suspect after Abohatem intervened at the gas station.
- The local Yemeni-American community and the girl’s school have honored Abohatem for his bravery, awarding him a “Knight Medal” and raising funds to support his upcoming wedding.
- Authorities praised the teenager’s courage and quick thinking, emphasizing their commitment to bringing justice for the victim of this random and violent attack.
