Md. Man Charged In Sexual Assault; Univ. of Florida Football Walk-On Stopped the Attack

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (WJZ) —A Maryland man was arrested in Gainesville, Florida in connection to an alleged sexual assault near the University of Florida, according to the Gainesville Police Department.

It happened on July 21, in the 1600 block of NW 1st Ave.

According to police, 34-year-old Christopher Shaw, of Laurel, Maryland was sexually assaulting a woman in an alleyway when two witnesses jumped in to stop the attack.

According to court documents obtained by WJZ, the victim was "physically helpless due to her level of intoxication and unable to walk on her own."

The Gainesville Sun reports, that Cristian Garcia, a University of Florida walk-on linebacker on the football team and his co-worker were the ones who stopped the sexual assault.

Garcia recounts the experience with the Sun saying, "I turned around and pulled the guy by the shoulder and said 'Get off.' That pretty much ended the situation then," Garcia said. "He was intoxicated and attempted to throw some punches, but he slipped and busted his face on the wall."

Police say several hours later the victim regained consciousness at the hospital and stated that she did not know the suspect and did not consent to any sexual acts with him.

Shaw is facing charges of sexual battery.

According to CBS affiliate WJAX, detectives think Shaw may have raped other women.