The Brave Defense: 13-Year-Old Hero Thwarts Kidnapper Using a $3 Toy Gifted by his Mother

On a typical afternoon returning from school, Owen Burns was interrupted by his sister’s screams. Initially annoyed by the disturbance, he dismissed the urgency behind her cries. However, as he glanced out of his window, shock gripped him momentarily, prompting a swift and decisive action that would prove to be life-saving.

Engrossed in his favorite game, “Call of Duty: Black Ops II,” on his PlayStation 3, 13-year-old Owen Burns was abruptly pulled from the virtual battlefield by the screams of his younger sister in the yard. Initially dismissing it as playful antics, Owen’s annoyance turned to alarm as he peered out his bedroom window, witnessing a stranger attempting to abduct his 8-year-old sister towards the nearby woods.

Acting swiftly, the determined teenager seized his slingshot, scouring his room for any available projectiles. Armed with a marble and a rock, Owen took aim at the kidnapper, striking him squarely between the eyes with his first shot. Unfazed, he followed up with a precise hit to the chest on the second attempt. Recalling the tense moment, Owen shared with the press, “He was swearing. He was cussing.”

So cops came back today searching agian for this dudes sweater and they found it was actually a shrit thing he threw in…

This dramatic incident unfolded at the Burns’ residence in Alpena Township, Michigan, during broad daylight. Maggie Burns, the mother, emphasized that kidnappings were unprecedented in the area.

Following the ordeal, the 8-year-old sister emerged physically unharmed but likely emotionally shaken by the traumatic event. The assailant, a 17-year-old whose identity remains undisclosed by the Michigan State Police, will face charges as an adult.

During a news conference, Lt. John Grimshaw lauded Owen’s remarkable actions, stating, “He really is the one that … I believe saved his sister’s either life or from something seriously bad happening to her.” Describing Owen’s actions as “extraordinary,” Grimshaw rightfully hailed the 13-year-old’s response as nothing short of heroic.

Lt. John Grimshaw, emphasizing the commendable nature of the young man’s actions, praised him for his courageous efforts.

Remarkably, the slingshot employed by the teenager was a simple and inexpensive purchase, acquired by his mother on clearance for just $3. The teen honed his skills through target practice in his yard, often aiming at old orange juice cans, refining his accuracy.

Reflecting on the pivotal moment, the teenager revealed that his immediate concern was the potential dire consequences of the kidnapping attempt. He feared the stranger might subject his sister to a harrowing fate, contemplating the possibility of her becoming a victim of human trafficking or even losing her life.

Lt. Grimshaw vividly described the encounter, detailing how the kidnapper employed a method seen in movies, grabbing the young girl from behind with a hand over her mouth and an arm around her waist, attempting to pull her into the nearby woods.

In the critical moment, Owen swiftly reached for his $3 slingshot and fired at the kidnapper, prompting the release of his sister from the assailant’s grip. Distraught and crying, she rushed inside the house, recounting to her brother the peril she had narrowly escaped. Fueled by rage, Owen stormed outside, cursing at the kidnapper and attempting to retaliate.

His initial throw of a baseball missed its mark, and a subsequent effort with the damaged slingshot proved futile as the rubber broke. Realizing the severity of the situation, the siblings promptly called their mother, who had momentarily halted at a relative’s place. Overcoming her shock, Maggie discerned the word ‘kidnapper’ from her upset children’s account and hastily returned home to contact the police.

Recalling the harrowing incident, Maggie expressed, “I was in shock for a few days.”

The 17-year-old kidnapper was apprehended at a nearby gas station, leading to charges of attempted kidnapping, attempted felony assault, and misdemeanor assault and battery in Alpena County District Court.

The police, in a press release, confirmed the authenticity of Owen’s account, noting, “He had obvious signs of an injury consistent with those that would have been sustained from the slingshot strikes to his head and chest.”

Initially skeptical of her son’s narrative of hitting the kidnapper with pinpoint accuracy from a distance of 200 feet, Maggie’s doubt dissipated when the police corroborated the story during the suspect’s interview. The evident marble-induced swelling on the kidnapper’s forehead served as tangible proof.

Expressing her astonishment, Maggie recounted the moment, “You said I always lie!” to which Owen retorted, “Mom, stuff in the movies can and do happen in real life.” Undoubtedly, this courageous young man emerged as a hero in the face of danger.

This heartwarming tale showcases the inspiring efforts of a big brother who valiantly protected his younger sister. Share this remarkable story with friends and family to spread the uplifting message of courage and heroism.