Cameron County man charged with kidnapping, attempted murder of teen

CAMERON COUNTY, Pa. (WJAC) – An Emporium man is facing charges after allegedly kidnapping and trying to kill a teenager last week.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, 22-year-old Gabriel Smith kidnapped the teen from her home in Emporium Borough on Thursday and drove her to an area off South Mountain Road.

Smith then allegedly held a gun to the girl’s head and fired a shot, narrowly missing the teen, the affidavit said.

Smith then sexually assaulted the girl before eventually taking her home, the affidavit said.

Smith is charged with attempted murder and felony counts of kidnapping, aggravated assault, statutory assault, corruption of minors and unlawful restraint.

He was arraigned Sunday before St. Marys District Judge Mark Jacob and booked into the McKean County Jail, where his bail was denied.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 31 at 11 a.m. before District Judge Barry Brown of Emporium.