Ariana, the 16-year-old girl who recently posted about her nerve-wracking experience getting away from an estranged stalker. This encounter was recorded on video, further amplifying the brutality of the situation. A recent racially charged incident in her own community had Ariana feeling scared and unsafe. She was terrified that the man who came up to her could potentially wish to “murder” her. Her split judgment to dart into an adjacent store made all the difference in getting her to safety.
What started out as a slightly concerning interaction quickly escalated after Ariana saw a man walking toward her with “a huge fifth of booze.” As the man approached, he allegedly told her, “You’d better start walking.” Reacting swiftly, Ariana spotted a woman nearby and called out, “There’s a woman there and I’m gonna run to her.” This call was the very important distraction she needed to free herself, and in turn, save herself.
As soon as she saw Ariana dash to her store, Tina Moss, the owner of the shop, knew something was wrong by the look on the teenager’s face. Ariana as a child being embraced by Tina, who with husband Bill Moss, opened their store’s doors to her and became an advocate for her wellbeing. According to Ariana’s mother, Christina Pino, this moment of distraction ultimately thwarted the man’s intentions.
“It distracted whatever that gentleman was trying to do,” – Christina Pino
Ariana shared the fear she felt during her experience, sharing that she thought the man was going to attack her. She stated, “It sounds like an older man. I don’t think an older man would approach me that way.” Their fear was further exacerbated when the man purportedly shoved her more forcefully and demanded that they continue walking side by side.
After getting help from the Mosses, Ariana said she was overwhelmed with relief. She hugged Tina Moss, as a way of thanking her for her assistance. Because of their quick action, the Mosses have since been called by Christina Pino Ariana’s “guardian angels.”
Fast forward from this selfie to April 25, 2025, when Ariana and Christina appeared on “Good Morning America.” They courageously told their heartbreaking story to shine a light on stalking and harassment. The young girl’s ordeal underscores just how important it is to remain ever-watchful. It’s further evidence of the power of quick thinking when faced with a deadly crisis.
