Miami police are investigating an attempted abduction of a middle school student that occurred Tuesday morning in the city’s Wynwood neighborhood. The incident happened at approximately 8:30 a.m. between Northwest Second and Third Avenue and 33rd and 34th Street, according to police. The victim is a student at Jose de Diego Middle School, though authorities confirmed the incident did not occur at the school or the adjacent Jose de Diego Park.
According to police, someone grabbed the girl and pulled her into an alley during the morning incident. The girl was able to get away from her attacker and subsequently reported the incident to authorities. Officers were in the process of interviewing the victim as of Tuesday afternoon, police said.
Police have issued a Be On The Lookout alert for the suspect, who was described as a Black male who is bald and between 5-foot-11 and 6-feet tall. The suspect was wearing a backpack with a Haitian flag on it at the time of the incident. The detailed description provides law enforcement with specific identifying characteristics as they search for the individual.
The Wynwood neighborhood, known for its arts district and growing residential population, has seen increased foot traffic in recent years as the area continues to develop. Jose de Diego Middle School serves students in the surrounding community, and the proximity of the incident to the school has heightened concerns among parents and school officials. The location between Northwest Second and Third Avenue represents a busy area with both pedestrian and vehicle traffic during morning hours.
Miami police continue their investigation into the attempted abduction and are asking anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The department has not released additional details about potential witnesses or surveillance footage from the area. Authorities are working to determine if this incident is connected to any other similar reports in the neighborhood or surrounding areas of Miami-Dade County.