In the quiet town of Alpena Township, Michigan, a seemingly ordinary afternoon took a dramatic turn that forever etched the name of Owen Burns in the annals of local heroism. It was just another day for Owen, a typical 13-year-old boy who enjoyed his share of video games and outdoor adventures. Little did he know that this day would become a defining moment in his life as he would be faced with a situation that would require incredible courage, quick thinking, and ingenuity.
Owen Burns was about to start playing “Call of Duty: Black Ops II” on his PlayStation 3 when he heard his sister’s high-pitched scream resonating from their garden. The 13-year-old girl initially thought he was being playful, but he became increasingly irritable.
Shortly after, the teenager looked out of his bedroom window and saw someone dragging his 8-year-old sister against her will toward a wooded area that borders their home.
In a fit of fear, the young man quickly grabbed the slingshot and picked up the nearest projectiles – marble and stone. He shot the captor right between the eyes, aiming straight for him.
He then successfully hit the criminal in the chest with the second shot. According to Owen, who described the incident to the media, “the kidnapper responded with profanity.”
The incident happened in broad daylight at the home of the Burns family in Alpena Township, Michigan. Their mother, Maggie Burns, emphasized the absence of kidnappings in the area.
The 8-year-old sister survived the experience unscathed but was likely in emotional distress after it ended. Michigan State Police have confirmed that the unnamed 17-year-old kidnapper will be charged as an adult.
Lt. John Grimshaw said during a news conference that he believes the young child, Owen, is key to either saving his sister’s life or preventing a serious incident. The lieutenant described Owen’s actions as “extraordinary” and called the young man a true hero.
He added that the young man deserves praise and recognition for his great efforts.
The teenager used a standard slingshot; nothing special about it. It did well and his mother bought it on sale for just $3. The teenager occasionally practiced shooting on old orange juice cans in his backyard, which clearly improved his accuracy.
The adolescent admitted that after watching the kidnapper’s first attempt to kidnap his sister, one thought quickly came to him: if the stranger succeeded, his sister would probably have to go through the horrors of either becoming a victim of sexual slavery or losing her life…
Grimshaw recounted how the kidnapper approached the girl from behind using a familiar movie-style tactic – covering her mouth with his hand and holding her waist – and tried to lead her into nearby woods.
Just then, Owen quickly reached for the slingshot and fired a projectile towards the captor. His sister ran back into the house as soon as she managed to escape from her attacker’s grasp, clearly distraught as she told her brother about the terrifying ordeal in which she almost lost her life. Enraged, Owen stormed out and hurled a stream of abuse at the captor. He tried to hit him with a baseball but was unsuccessful. Determined, he tried again to hit the offender with the slingshot, but this time the rubber band broke, making his third attempt useless.
The siblings then called their mother, who had stopped briefly on her way from work at a relative’s house to provide assistance. She recognized the word “kidnapper” from her children’s panicked and incoherent calls and rushed home to inform the authorities.
Recalling the incident, Maggie expressed her shock and admitted that she was in shock for several days.
The 17-year-old kidnapper was discovered by law enforcement officers hiding at a nearby gas station. The defendant was then charged in Alpena County District Court with attempted kidnapping, attempted felony assault, and misdemeanor assault and battery.
According to a press release issued by the police, the victim showed obvious signs of injuries consistent with the impact expected from slingshots that were fired at his head and torso.
Maggie disputed her son’s claim that he hit the captor’s forehead and chest from exactly 200 feet away. While questioning the suspect, police noticed that the swelling on the suspect’s forehead from the impact of the marble continued to increase, supporting Owen’s account.
“You always say I’m lying,” Owen stated to his mother.
I just didn’t understand, she said. “Until there was concrete evidence, it seemed so unbelievable. It looked like a scene from a movie.”
The teenager argued, “Mom, things that happen in movies can and do happen in real life.” This young man is no doubt a hero!
The story of Owen Burns, a brave young brother who protected his sister from a kidnapper with nothing more than a three-dollar slingshot and unwavering determination, is a testament to the power of love and courage. It’s a story that serves as a reminder that heroes can emerge from the most unexpected places and that ordinary individuals can perform extraordinary acts when faced with adversity.
This remarkable story not only emphasizes the importance of alertness and quick thinking but also shows the incredible bond between siblings. Owen’s actions that day undoubtedly saved his sister from a terrifying ordeal and his bravery serves as an inspiration to us all.
As we reflect on this extraordinary story, let it serve as a reminder that heroism knows no age and that even the simplest tools can become instruments of salvation in the hands of those who dare to act when it matters most.