Brave 13-year-old Foils Kidnapping with a $3 Toy
A Normal Afternoon Turns Unsettling
It seemed to be an average afternoon for 13-year-old Owen Burns who was fresh from school. Annoyed by the intrusive screaming of his sister, Owen was unaware of the impending threat. To his horror, upon glancing outside, he saw a stranger attempting to abduct his sister. The young teenager wasted no time in making a crucial, life-saving decision.
Playing Hero
As he was settling down to play “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” on his PlayStation 3, Owen heard his sister’s panicked cries from their yard. Initially, he thought she was just playing around until he noticed the stranger trying to pull his sister towards the woods near their home.
Quickly, Owen armed himself with his slingshot, a marble, and a rock, and aimed at the assailant, successfully hitting him twice.
“He was swearing. He was cussing,” Owen told the press.
The Ordeal Comes to an End
This unsettling incident took place at their home in Alpena Township, Michigan, a place where kidnappings were thought to be unheard of. Their mother, Maggie Burns, was astonished to learn that the attacker was a 17-year-old boy, whose identity was withheld by the Michigan State Police. He is set to face charges as an adult.
Praise for the Young Hero
“He really is the one that … I believe saved his sister’s either life or from something seriously bad happening to her,” said Lt. John Grimshaw at a news conference, applauding Owen’s exceptional bravery.
Grimshaw added that the boy deserves recognition for his valiant efforts. Interestingly, the slingshot Owen used was a simple $3 toy his mother had bought on sale. The teenager often practiced his aim on old orange juice cans in the yard, honing his skills.
The Rescue
Recounting the horrifying encounter, Owen explained how the kidnapper had attempted to abduct his sister in a scene straight from the movies, coming from behind and trying to drag her into the woods. It was at this moment that Owen fired at the assailant with his slingshot.
When his sister managed to escape, she ran inside the house, terrified. In response, Owen chased the kidnapper, unsuccessfully trying to hit him with a baseball and another slingshot attempt.
Mother Gets the Call
The children called their mother, who was at a relative’s place. Upon hearing the distressing news, she rushed back home and immediately called the police.
The suspect was found at a nearby gas station and was charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted felony assault, and misdemeanor assault and battery in Alpena County District Court.
“He had obvious signs of an injury consistent with those that would have been sustained from the slingshot strikes to his head and chest,” the police stated in a press release.
Unbelievable Turn of Events
Maggie was initially skeptical of her son’s account, finding it hard to believe that Owen had managed to hit the kidnapper accurately from 200 feet away. However, the police confirmed the story, noting the marble-induced swelling on the kidnapper’s forehead.
“Mom,” the teenager said, “stuff in the movies can and do happen in real life.”
An Inspiring Story of Bravery
This incredible story of a young boy’s courageous act to protect his sister is truly inspiring. This young hero’s actions serve as a reminder that extraordinary things can happen in the most ordinary of circumstances.
Feel free to share this story with your friends and family to inspire them as well.