In a remarkable act of bravery, 13-year-old Owen Burns from Alpena Township, Michigan, thwarted an attempted kidnapping of his 8-year-old sister using a $3 slingshot his mother had purchased for him.
On May 10, 2023, Owen was in his bedroom playing “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” when he heard his sister screaming outside. Initially dismissing it as playful noise, he soon realized the danger when he saw a stranger attempting to drag her into the woods. Reacting swiftly, Owen grabbed his slingshot and fired a marble and a rock at the assailant, striking him in the head and chest. The attacker fled, allowing Owen’s sister to escape to safety.
The siblings contacted their mother, who alerted the police. The 17-year-old suspect was later apprehended at a nearby gas station, bearing injuries consistent with the slingshot attack. He was charged as an adult with attempted kidnapping, attempted felony assault, and misdemeanor assault and battery.
Michigan State Police Lieutenant John Grimshaw praised Owen’s quick thinking, stating, “He really is the one that … I believe saved his sister’s either life or from something seriously bad happening to her.”
Owen’s mother, initially skeptical of his account, was convinced by the evidence. Owen reflected on the incident, telling his mother, “Stuff in the movies can and do happen in real life.”
The story of Owen’s heroism has garnered widespread attention, highlighting the profound impact of courage and quick action in the face of danger.