13-Year-Old Hero Thwarts Kidnapping with a Simple $3 Toy from His Mom
Sibling love often stands as one of the purest and strongest forms of connection, and 13-year-old Owen Burns from Alpena Township, Michigan, proved this when he stepped up in a moment of crisis.
It all began when Owen was preparing to play his favorite video game, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, on his PlayStation 3.
His plans were interrupted by the sound of his younger sister’s terrified screams from the yard. Owen quickly rushed to the window, his heart racing.
To his horror, he saw his 8-year-old sister being dragged toward the woods by a stranger. Acting on instinct, Owen grabbed the closest weapon at hand: a $3 slingshot his mom had recently bought for him.
Using his practice from shooting at cans, he loaded it with a marble and a rock and took aim at the kidnapper.
In an incredible display of courage and precision, Owen struck the attacker twice â once in the chest and once between the eyes. The impact startled the kidnapper, who fled the scene, leaving the young girl unharmed. Though shaken, she was safe, thanks to her brotherâs bravery. Owen immediately called his mother, who was helping a relative at the time.
She rushed home and contacted the police. Michigan State Police later apprehended the suspect, a 17-year-old who is now facing adult charges.
At a press conference, Lt. John Grimshaw praised Owenâs quick thinking, stating, âI believe he saved his sisterâs life or prevented something much worse from happening.â Grimshaw described the incident, explaining how the kidnapper had approached the girl from behind, covering her mouth and trying to pull her into the woods in a scene reminiscent of a movie.
Owenâs mother, Maggie Burns, initially doubted her sonâs account of hitting the kidnapper with the slingshot. However, a police report confirmed the suspect had visible injuries consistent with Owenâs story.
“I just couldnât believe it,” Maggie admitted. “It sounded like something out of a movie.” Owenâs response? “Mom, things that happen in movies can and do happen in real life.”
The local community has hailed Owen as a hero for his courage and quick actions.
His bravery serves as a powerful reminder of the strength of sibling bonds and the extraordinary things ordinary people can accomplish under pressure.
Well done, Owen â a true hero in every sense.
