Haines City Police detectives are investigating an attack on a 15-year-old girl as she was walking to school the morning of Feb. 15.
- Incident occurred near Haines City High School
- Suspect Tristan Calixe, 22, in custody
- Calixe already on probation, will not be granted bond
Investigators said the girl was walking towards school when a man, identified as Tristan Calixe, 22, passed her going in the opposite direction. Calixe reportedly said “Hi” to the girl as he passed, then started following her.
When the student crossed the street and entered a grassy area near the school campus, Calixe reportedly attacked her. According to Haines City Police Chief James Elensky, the girl then did the right thing: she fought back.
“She was grabbed from behind,” Elensky explained. “[Calixe] grabbed her around the neck, forced her to the ground and all evidence suggests that is accurate. And I think by her kicking and screaming, whatever she could do, he didn’t have a chance to throw a punch in.”
Calixe, according to Chief Elensky, recently got out of jail for punching a 14-year-old girl.
Tristan Calixe. (Photo: Haines City Police)
Parents at Haines City High School who heard about the attack expressed concern for their children’s safety.
“I’m a mom. My daughter’s here,” said parent Christy Rivera. “She’s a senior here and I’m on high alert. I’m on very high alert – that’s why I’m freaking out, like I don’t know what to do.”
Haines City Police maintained a heavy presence near the school in the wake of the Feb. 14 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County.
Polk school district superintendent Jacqueline Byrd said she wanted to ease parents’ minds, and said the district has stepped up police presence at other schools in the district, as well.
“So, our parents, I want them to know that when your students come to the schools they're going to be protected. We have extra law enforcement that's out and about," Byrd said.
Haines City Police said Calixe lives about a half-mile from where the attack occurred. Calixe was charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment and violation of probation and will not be released on bond.