Michigan Boy Saves Sister From Abduction With Slingshot

A 13-year-old boy in Michigan is being hailed as a hero after he saved his younger sister from an attempted abduction using a slingshot.

The incident happened on Wednesday afternoon in Alpena Township, Michigan. The boy’s 8-year-old sister was mushroom-hunting in the backyard of their home when a 17-year-old boy came out of the woods and grabbed her. The suspect covered the girl’s mouth and tried to pull her into the woods, but the brother heard her screams and came running.

The boy grabbed his slingshot and fired rocks at the suspect from his bedroom window, hitting him in the head and chest. The suspect released the girl and ran away. The boy and his sister were not injured.

According to the FBI, an average of 350 people under the age of 21 are abducted by strangers each year in the United States. However, in this case, a 13-year-old boy’s quick action and sharp shooting saved his sister from being abducted.

Police later arrested the suspect at a nearby gas station. They said the suspect had obvious signs of injury from the slingshot, including a large gash on his head and bruising on his chest. They said the injuries were consistent with being hit by a rock fired from a slingshot. He was charged with attempted kidnapping, attempted assault, and assault and battery.

Police praised the boy for his quick thinking and bravery, saying that he likely saved his sister’s life as the suspect later stated he “planned on severely beating the victim.”

A 17-year-old juvenile suspect was arraigned in the 88th District Court on May 11 and is being charged as an adult with attempted kidnapping/child enticement, attempted assault to do great bodily harm less than murder, and assault and battery.

The boy’s story is a reminder of the importance of being aware of your surroundings and taking steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. If you see something suspicious, report it to the police. If you are ever in a situation where you feel threatened, it is important to fight back and use whatever means necessary to protect yourself or your loved ones.

You don’t expect an 8-year-old girl or a 13-year-old boy to be carrying pepper spray or a stun gun in their backyard. Perhaps their parents with buy the girl a personal alarm, but as long as her crack-shot brother is around with his trusty slingshot, she may be OK.

This incident highlights that even the smallest act of courage can make a big difference. It is also a reminder that stranger abductions are a real threat and that parents and caregivers should take steps to protect their children.

Here are some tips for protecting your children from stranger abduction:

• Talk to your children about stranger danger and teach them never to go anywhere with someone they don’t know.
• Teach your children to scream and run away if someone tries to abduct them.
• Make sure your children know their home address and phone number.
• Teach your children to look for safe places to go if they feel threatened, such as a library, police station, or fire station.
• Be aware of your surroundings and keep an eye on your children when they are in public.
• Talk to your children about their friends and their activities.
• Report any suspicious activity to the police.

 

As always, be safe and be prepared.

 

See Also:

• The Lacombe Laundromat Incident: Woman Fights Back
• Prepared and Safe: Pepper Spray Thwarts Kidnapping in Ohio
• First on the Scene: Empowering Yourself When Time is of the Essence
• You Are the True Weapon: Mastering Self-Defense With and Beyond Tools