- A 13-year-old girl uses Jiu-Jitsu to stop attacker in in Carmel-by-the-Sea incident on May 6.
- She performed a takedown, broke the suspect’s ankle, and escaped unharmed.
- Her coach praised her composure and technique: “She did exactly what she was trained to do.”
- Authorities are still searching for the suspect, described as acting erratically during the assault.
Teen Girl Drops Attacker With Headlock, Knees, and a Takedown
A 13-year-old girl walking home from school in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, didn’t just escape an attack—she reversed it. The teen, who’s trained in Jiu-Jitsu for over three years, responded with startling efficiency when a man lunged at her between two parked cars.
“She punched him, she wrapped it, got him in a headlock, kneed him a couple of times, spun him around, threw him on the ground… and broke his ankle.”
– Michael Blackburn, jiu-jitsu instructor –
According to Blackburn, who teaches at the Carmel Youth Center, the suspect clearly underestimated her. But the girl wasn’t shaken. She executed clean, effective self-defence techniques taught in class, and then ran home safely.
Police say she struck first, locked the man into a headlock, and dumped him with a trip takedown. In the process, she stepped on his foot and injured him badly enough that he was heard yelling as she escaped.
“Fight in Class Like You’re on the Street”: Coach Reacts to Viral Story
After the incident hit local news and Reddit’s r/BJJ forum, the Jiu-Jitsu community lit up with praise for the girl’s composure. For Blackburn, her coach, it was personal—and proof of why martial arts matter.
“She did exactly what she was supposed to do. You have to fight in class like you’re going to protect yourself on the street.”
– Michael Blackburn, Carmel Youth Center –
He added that the California teen has never been aggressive in class, but has always shown an unusually high ability to absorb and apply technique under pressure.
The 13-year-old girl uses Jiu-Jitsu to stop attacker, not as a headline, but as a case study: proof that training isn’t just for the mat, but for life.
Attacker Still at Large, Police Say He May Be Under the Influence
The suspect, who fled the scene after the takedown, is still being pursued by police. Commander Todd Trayer of the Carmel Police Department told reporters the department is taking the case seriously.
“We’re doing everything we can to figure out who this person is that’s responsible for what happened.”
– Commander Todd Trayer, Carmel Police Department –
Authorities haven’t confirmed if the suspect’s ankle was broken, but they did note that he fled the scene limping. Witnesses described the man as acting erratically—possibly under the influence or experiencing a mental health crisis.
A sketch has been released, and anyone with information is encouraged to contact local authorities.
Jiu-Jitsu Training Prevents Attack
While the incident was frightening, the teen’s Jiu-Jitsu skills likely saved her from far worse. For Blackburn and others in the self-defense community, the takeaway is clear: empowerment through preparedness works.
“She fought just like we train in class. She used what she had. That’s the goal.”
– Michael Blackburn –
As one Reddit user put it in a top-voted comment:
“This is why every kid—especially girls—should learn at least a year of grappling.”
– Reddit user, r/BJJ –
The story has sparked renewed interest in youth self-defense programs across California, with instructors citing the Carmel case as a prime example of martial arts making a real-world difference.
She Didn’t Panic—She Executed
The 13-year-old girl uses Jiu-Jitsu to stop attacker not because she was fearless, but because she was trained. In a moment of danger, she didn’t freeze. She remembered her technique. She applied it. And she won.
Police continue their investigation, but one thing is certain: this teen defended herself in a way that would impress most adults. And she left a very clear message to anyone targeting vulnerable people:
You never know who’s trained to fight back.
