Video footage shows a heroic middle school teacher grabbing his gun and saving a 15-year-old girl from being attacked, according to the New York Post. 

The assailant in question reportedly followed the 15-year-old girl into a gated apartment complex after she got off the Metro bus at 12:30 a.m., according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. She reportedly began screaming for help, which triggered nearby homeowner David Garza to take action. 

“I looked out the window and I saw a man beating up a woman on the ground,” Garza told a local news outlet. He claims the assailant attempted to remove the young woman’s clothing, prompting him to grab his gun and confront the attacker. 

Security footage shows the assailant had the 15-year-old girl by the hair when Garza arrived to help. 

“I ran outside, [and] asked what’s going on. The girl screamed, ‘I’m 15, help,” Garza said, recounting the interaction. “I pointed the gun at him and told him to get off her.” 

Video footage shows Garza holding the handgun on his front porch and screaming, “Get away from her! Hey! Come here!” 

Garza is being hailed a hero as his story receives national press coverage. 

“I think it’s something anyone else would have done — come help a child,” Garza said. “She needed help more than I was afraid, so I had to do it.” 

Police have a photo of the suspect, who was wearing a black hoodie, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes at the time of the attack. Officials are still seeking information about the suspect.

People online are buzzing about the importance of personal gun ownership following the Houston-based incident. 

“This is why authorized, responsible gun ownership is a necessity,” a former NRA Women’s Pistol Instructor said in the comments. “The defund the police and the lack of police protection makes me know I have to protect myself.” 

This piece first appeared at TPUSA.