A Florida Football Player Stopped A Sexual Assault Behind A Bar In Gainesville

A University of Florida linebacker who also works security at a popular bar in Gainesville reportedly helped stop a sexual assault that was taking place behind the bar around 2 a.m. Thursday morning.

Cristian Garcia, a junior from Miami, was taking out the trash when he saw a man and woman by the dumpsters. Garcia told First Coast News that he thought they were just having sex at first, but then noticed that the woman was not moving. “The girl was basically unconscious, so I knew there was no way she could be giving consent,” he said. Garcia also noted that the man’s friends were standing nearby watching the assault happen.

Garcia said he approached the man — who has since been identified as 34-year-old Christopher Shaw — grabbed his shoulders, and told him to stop. Shaw responded by throwing blows at the 6’1, 233-pound linebacker.

The suspect escaped, but Shaw has since been arrested on sexual battery charges. Detectives say that they have reason to believe Shaw has previously raped other women.

When asked about why he intervened, Garcia said, “I hold strong moral values and I don’t think anyone should be taken advantage of in that kind of way.”

(Via First Coast News)

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