HE BROKE THROUGH THE WALL — THEN POLICE SAY THEY CAUGHT HIM ATTACKING A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

A terrifying incident in Gainesville, Georgia, has left a 15-year-old girl facing a long road of recovery after police say a 29-year-old man broke through a wall into her apartment and violently attacked her while two younger children were inside.

A HOLE IN THE WALL

Gainesville Police responded to an apartment complex on Summit Street shortly before 10 p.m. after witnesses called 911 about a possible assault.

According to police, witnesses reported seeing a man dragging a teenage girl by her hair and repeatedly striking her as she screamed for help.

When officers arrived, police say the assault was still happening.

They immediately intervened and took the suspect into custody.

 THE ATTACK WAS ALLEGEDLY NOT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Investigators reportedly soon determined that the situation was very different from an ordinary domestic-violence call.

Police say the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Obed Reyes, lived in the same apartment complex but did not know the 15-year-old victim.

Investigators allege that Reyes entered her apartment by smashing through a closet wall from an adjoining unit.

Inside were the teenage girl and two younger children, ages 5 and 7.

SHE FOUGHT BACK AND ESCAPED

According to investigators, Reyes allegedly grabbed the girl by the hair and punched her repeatedly.

The teenager managed to get out into the apartment breezeway and began screaming for help.

Police say the alleged assault continued even after she escaped the apartment.

Investigators also allege that Reyes threatened to rape her during the incident.

THE WITNESSES WHO CALLED 911

The police response was made possible after people nearby saw what was happening and called emergency services.

Gainesville Police Chief Jay Parrish praised those witnesses for acting quickly, saying their call helped officers arrive in time to prevent further harm.

For the teenage victim, however, the physical attack was only the beginning of what authorities say could be a long recovery from the trauma.

SERIOUS CHARGES

Reyes was arrested and faces charges including:

Burglary

Aggravated assault

Attempted rape

Kidnapping

Two counts of cruelty to children

He was taken to the Hall County Jail.

The charges are allegations, and Reyes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

 QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE ATTACK BEGAN

Investigators will now have to establish exactly how Reyes entered the neighboring apartment, what happened inside the residence and what led to the alleged confrontation.

But one detail stands out:

THE ATTACK WAS ALLEGEDLY HAPPENING INSIDE A FAMILY’S HOME — THROUGH A HOLE CREATED IN THE WALL.

The victim was not reportedly expecting the suspect.

She was simply inside her apartment with two younger children.

And according to police, the intervention came only after witnesses outside recognized that something was seriously wrong.

THE AFTERMATH

The two younger children were also present during the alleged attack, adding another layer of trauma to an already terrifying incident.

The police chief said the teenage victim faces a long road toward recovery.

For the witnesses who called 911, their decision to intervene may have prevented an even more serious outcome.

 A WALL WAS BROKEN.

WITNESSES CALLED 911.

A 15-YEAR-OLD WAS ATTACKED.

 TWO YOUNGER CHILDREN WERE INSIDE.

AND A 29-YEAR-OLD MAN NOW FACES MULTIPLE SERIOUS CHARGES.

The case will now move through the legal system, where the evidence will determine what ultimately happened.

This post is based on police allegations and publicly reported information. The suspect has not been convicted, and all charges remain allegations unless established in court.