A Michigan boy prevented an abductor from kidnapping his sister with a surprising weapon.
A 14-year-old boy was able to fend of an attacker with a slingshot, when he tried to abduct his 8-year-old sister on Wednesday.
The girl was playing outside in her family’s backyard in rural Alpena, Michigan, when a 17-year-old came out of the woods and grabbed her.
The unnamed suspect covered her mouth and tried to drag her out of the yard, when his attempt was thwarted by her older brother.
The brave tween heard the commotion and used a slingshot to get the teenager to let his little sister go.
He only fired two shots before the girl was able to break free and run away.
“He really is the one that that I believe saved his sisters either life, or something seriously bad happening to her,” a Michigan State Police spokesperson told NBC News.
“For a 14-year-old to see that and to pop into action that quickly, he should be commended for it.”
The alleged attacker escaped, but was later arrested by Michigan State Police in the gas station, based on a description by another family member.
When he was arrested, police said the suspect had visible wounds to the head and chest from the two projectiles the boy flung with Dennis the Menace-like precision.
Police said that not only did the young teenager become an everyday hero by protecting his sister, he helped them verify that they had the right person in custody.
“What he did also helped us to identify who the suspect was because obviously he had injuries from getting hit with a slingshot, and obviously those [wounds] were able to help us out evidentiary-wise.”
The 17-year-old was charged as an adult on three felony counts that included attempted kidnapping, attempted assault to do great bodily harm less than murder, and assault and battery.
“You wouldn’t think in this world that if you were playing in your own backyard … that you would be concerned about something like this,” the Police spokesman said.
“But it just goes to show that there is evil out there and it can find anybody anywhere.”
