A 13-year-old boy, Owen Burns, from Alpena, Michigan, is being hailed as a hero after he managed to prevent the kidnapping of his eight-year-old sister. The incident took place on May 10, 2023, and armed only with a slingshot, a marble, and a rock, successfully struck a 17-year-old suspect, allowing his sister to escape unharmed.
Owen and his sister were at home on Wednesday when he saw a man grabbing his younger sister. He noticed her being abducted by an unknown person and grabbed a slingshot which he used to hit the suspect in the head and chest.
According to the Michigan State Police, the suspect fled to a nearby gas station, but officers managed to catch him as he had slingshot injuries. The 17-year-old is being charged as an adult and is facing multiple charges. They include attempted kidnapping/child enticement, attempted assault to cause great bodily harm, and assault and battery. He is currently held in custody in Alpena County on a $150,000 bond.
Michigan teen Owen Burns said that he was “bad” with the slingshot
Owen Burns and his sister were at home when a 17-year-old tried to kidnap the latter by covering her mouth and nose. However, his plan was foiled when 13-year-old Owen rescued his sister by using a slingshot to fire at the suspect.
Owen Burns grabbed his slingshot, some gravel, and a marble and managed to hit the suspect, striking him in the chest and head.
During an interview with MLive, Owen admitted that he was not skilled with a slingshot due to a lack of practice. He said that he was “bad with a slingshot” because he hadn’t actually used one in a very long time.
However, he was successful in hitting the assailant which forced him to flee, and helped Owen’s sister to escape unharmed. Owen Burns’ quick thinking is being praised as it prevented a potentially catastrophic outcome.
Margaret, Owen’s mother, was visiting a family member nearby when she received a distressed call from her children. She rushed back home as soon as she heard what happened and was relieved to find her children safe but in shock.
Owen even managed to provide details about the suspect’s appearance, including his black clothing and a mohawk to the police. A family member directed the authorities towards a person matching the suspect’s appearance fleeing the area. The police eventually arrested the suspect at a nearby gas station, where he displayed visible injuries from getting hit by a slingshot.
Andrew Burns praises his son for his reaction in a critical moment
Owen Burns’ father, Andrew, commended his reaction in a critical moment. Both parents expressed their immense pride for their son’s extraordinary bravery. Owen Burns stressed that he would not hesitate to come to his sister’s rescue again if such a thing were to happen.
The family is now focused on processing the emotions arising from the incident and providing support to their daughter. They stated that they were taken aback by the attempted kidnapping as such occurrences are uncommon in their town.
Margaret Burns also expressed her hope for the suspect to receive necessary mental help and rehabilitation in addition to serving his sentence.
