Jogger Fights Off Attacker Days After Eliza Fletcher’s Killing

A female jogger fought off an attacker who grabbed her on a popular hiking trail near Orlando on Sunday — just days after the kidnapping and murder of another runner in Tennessee, police said.

Israel Pagan, 19, grabbed the victim as she ran along the Little Econ Greenway trail around 5 p.m. Sunday, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement.

The jogger was able to fend off the assault and took a picture of Pagan as the broad-daylight incident unfolded, according to Local 10.

Police used the image to canvass the area and eventually made an arrest.

Pagan allegedly told police that he grabbed the woman by her shoulders and got on top of her before ending the attack.

He also told police he was drunk at the time — and now faces a charge of attempted sexual battery.

Image of Little Econ Greenway Trail.
The Little Econ Greenway trail where Israel Pagan allegedly attacked a jogger.

Deputies said Pagan may have attacked other joggers in the area previously and are asking potential victims to come forward.

The frightening assault came days after Tennessee jogger Eliza Fletcher was forced into an SUV and later killed by suspect Cleotha Abston, who was later arrested.

The married mother of two was running along a trail near the University of Memphis when she was abducted.

Abston has been charged with her murder.

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