A Marietta man tried to kidnap a young girl at a Shell gas station on the 2600 block of Delk Road, Georgia, but the child’s mother fought him off using nothing more than a gas pump until bystanders stepped in to help her.

According to surveillance footage released by authorities, the incident began as the mother and her children walked toward their vehicle. Several moments later, a man identified by police as Jerahn Rashad Tucker approached the family, opened the car’s door, and allegedly pulled one of the children back out of the car. Tucker also threatened the mother by claiming he had a gun and would use it.

As the girl tried to get away, Tucker chased her around the vehicle. He also opened the rear passenger door, where another child was sitting. Although frightened, the children’s mother, Chastity Woodward, grabbed the gas pump to swing it toward Tucker to keep him away from her children.

Marietta Police Department Public Information Officer Chuck McPhilamy praised Woodward’s quick efforts during the incident. He said, “This mother had choices, and in that moment she defaulted to her own basic instinct of I have to protect my children, grabbing even just the gas pump and attempting to swing it almost like it was a baseball bat, doing whatever she had to keep herself in between the suspect who was acting deranged and her own children.”

He also commended the bystanders who rushed to help the woman. Once the children were safely back in the car, two witnesses intervened and helped force Tucker away from the family. The manager of the Shell gas station said Tucker had been at the business several times before and had been asked to leave. Police revealed Tucker fled the scene before they arrived. He was later located and arrested. He is being held in the Cobb County Jail without bond.

According to the arrest warrant, the incident occurred between 12.12 a.m. and 1.30 a.m. on July 23. Police also charged Tucker with possession of a THC vape found in his black 2012 Cadillac that he was driving. Police said they did not find a weapon despite Tucker’s alleged threat that he had one.

Several news channels shared the incident video, which has amassed over hundreds of thousands of views. Many viewers expressed concern and also suggested parents be vigilant. One viewer wrote, “Some people look human… but are clearly serious predators.” The second one praised the mom, “Be vigilant and pay attention. This was great work by mom.” Many also praised the men who showed up to help the mom and the kids.

Disclaimer: The Inquisitr could not independently confirm the facts of this incident and is reporting based on the information available within the public video record.