Couple credited with thwarting kidnapping attempt near UW tell what happened (VIDEO)



SEATTLE -- Two UW students may have unknowingly scared off a man attempting to abduct a young woman at gunpoint near campus.

Seattle police say the man grabbed the woman by her arm and threatened her with a gun, but he ran away when he saw other people walking in the neighborhood.

The students, who only wanted to use their first names, were walking home at 10:15 Sunday night near NE 55th Street and 15th Avenue NE.

One student, Natalie, said she saw two people, but didn’t realize what was going on until the woman approached them.

"She was crying and she was freaked out," said Natalie. "She told us ‘I'm sorry you guys someone just tried to shoot me.' "

The young woman walked with Natalie and her boyfriend back to a nearby house and called police. The victim said the man was following her down the street.

"If we would have left earlier, if we left later, it could have been a totally different story,” said Natalie.

Once police arrived on the scene the area was searched, but the man was not found.

Now police have released a description:

The victim described the suspect as a white male in his mid-20s, with blue eyes, 5’4, a scrawny build, dark blonde hair and a short blonde goatee. He was reportedly wearing a gray and black beanie hat, light blue puffy coat, and black backpack.’

If you know anything about this call the SPD tip line (206) 233-5000.