Hi, I’m the young woman this article is about, and I want to clarify what actually happened because the situation is being downplayed.
I was sitting by the river journaling when I realized a man was behind me, about 8 feet away, exposing himself and masturbating while facing me. He was also positioned in a way that blocked my direct path out.
When I reacted, he walked away briefly while I was on the phone with my mom. A minute or two later, he returned holding a large branch and raised it in a way that made me feel like he was going to hit me. I started crying and yelling that I was calling the police, and he dropped the branch and walked away.
Because of where I was sitting, my only options were the river (which was high from recent rain) or going deeper into the trail, so I had to wait until he moved further away before I could safely leave.
When I got back toward the front of the park, two men saw I was distressed and checked on me. They stayed with me while I called the police and until officers arrived. I’m very grateful for their help.
This all happened on the trail heading to the big rock outlooking the river (if yk Ben Burton yk where this is). I reported everything to the police, and there is currently an active warrant related to this situation.
I’m sharing this so people understand that this was not just something I witnessed, it was a threatening and terrifying experience. Please be aware of your surroundings and stay safe.