During an attempted kidnapping, a young woman ran from her attacker and into a North Carolina karate studio where one of the instructors was able to intercept the man running behind her.
The accused has been identified as 46-year-old August Williams. According to local police, Williams attempted to force the victim into his car before she was able to break free and search for help. At around 9 PM on Thursday, the woman rushed into Bushiken Karate Charlotte Dojo in Charlotte, NC and explained to the staff that a man was trying to harm her. Moments later, Williams entered the facility looking for the woman, which is when he was apprehended by the studio's senior instructor, Randall Ephraim.
"There were still some kids in the dojo being picked up by parents and a couple of adult students cleaning up when a young lady came through our doors and stated that someone was trying to harm her," Ephraim told CNN. "Shortly afterward, a big male entered the building. Not knowing what he wanted, I assumed he was inquiring about classes," he continued.
"I asked how I could assist him and he stated that he was there for the lady. She insisted that she did not know him and tried to kidnap her." Ephraim tried asking Williams to leave. However, he refused to do so before becoming violent. The instructor was able to detain Williams before the police arrived. Ephraim explained that it wasn't an easy feat. "He was very strong... very, very strong. He weighed at least 200 (pounds) and some change, under the influence; very strong powerful individual," the instructor noted.
Captain JD Thomas from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department explained that the outcome could have very different had the karate studio not been there.
