Many people view social media as a venue for spreading fake news and negativity. But, just like everything in this world, there is also a positive side.
One viral TikTok trend became a way to save a woman’s life, who was about to be kidnapped by her ex-boyfriend who threatened to kill her.
Eric Streeval was at a convenience store in Hickman County when his eye caught a young woman mouthing something at him. Eric found it strange but he was not one to look away. She was silently saying the word “Help.”
As she did that, the woman also repeatedly made a hand signal that Eric fortunately recognized. The cashier also recognized the hand signal and realized what was going on.
Everyone in the store realized that there was something going on and worked together to save the lady.
The cashier tried to keep the conversation longer with the young woman and the man who was with her, pretending that the cash register wasn’t working. As she did this, her fellow staff called the police while Eric took a photo of the truck the two arrived in.
However, the suspected kidnapper felt that there was something strange and so, he swiftly took the woman back to the pick-up truck outside. Just as the truck left the parking lot, the police arrived and soon chased the vehicle.
The cops went after the pick-up truck for about 15 minutes, until it finally crashed into a creek.
As soon as the vehicle stopped, driver Johnathan Smith, 31 years old, got out and ran away. He ran as fast as he could, but he could never outrun the authorities.
He was soon caught, tased, and finally arrested for his attempt to kidnap the young woman. The man was charged with aggravated kidnapping, aggravated domestic assault, and more.
After the initial investigation by the police, it was found that the man was the young woman’s ex-boyfriend. The perpetrator picked her up from her brother’s house and they got into a physical argument in the car which ended with him threatening to kill her after kidnapping her.
“The girlfriend then asked to be let out,” Lieutenant Mike Doddo said. “He said, ‘No.’ (Smith) then threatened to kill her by grabbing a screwdriver and telling her, if he couldn’t have her, nobody could have her.”
One main factor that saved the woman was the hand signal she used to alert other shoppers in the store.
The popular hand signal was made to subtly inform other people that you are in danger. Due to its popularity, the people around the young woman easily recognized the sign and knew immediately that she needed to be saved.
This only proves that social media has a positive impact, wherein these kinds of information can be spread for everyone to be aware of when things are getting dangerous.
“This signal is meant for victims of domestic abuse and it allows them to reach out for help without alerting their abusers,” Break The Silence Against Domestic Violence tweeted.
Eric, who is also a member of a motorcycle club that assists victims of domestic violence situations, also emphasized the importance of doing something when you see something.
“If you see something, say something,” Mr Streeval told WKRN in Nashville. “Domestic violence is a bad thing here in Tennessee. The victims, a lot of times they’re too afraid to speak out. And I credit the young lady in this situation with having the world’s most courage of actually speaking out because who knows what would have happened.”
It is important to take notice of your surroundings and do something if you can. What you decide to do can save a life in the process.
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