A young girl was able to survive an attempted kidnapping after her brother scared off the teenager with a slingshot, according to reports.
NBC affiliate WOOD TV reported that a 13-year-old boy from Michigan scared off the teen trying to kidnap his eight-year-old sister by firing off a slingshot at the suspect.
The incident occurred in the sibling’s backyard in Alpena Township on Wednesday when a 17-year-old boy appeared out of the woods and grabbed the girl.
“The suspect had come through the woods on to the property and came from behind her, grabbed her like you’d see in the movies – hand over the mouth, arm around the waist – and was attempting to pull her into the woods,” the state police lieutenant John Grimshaw told reporters.
The suspect then attempted to pull her away from her family’s home. The young girl’s older brother saw the teen abducting her and rushed into action. He took his slingshot and started firing at the would-be kidnapper, hitting him in the head and chest.
“He really is the one that I believe saved his sister’s life or from something seriously bad happening to her,” Grimshaw said. “For a 13-year-old to see that and to pop into action that quickly is extraordinary and he should be commended for it,” said Grimshaw.
Authorities later caught the 17-year-old suspect hiding at a nearby gas station after getting injured by the young boy’s slingshot.
“What [the brother] did also helped us to identify who the suspect was because obviously, he had injuries from getting hit with a slingshot,” the lieutenant added.
According to the police, the suspect was planning to severely beat the little girl. He has been charged as an adult on a count of attempted kidnapping or child enticement, one count of attempted assault to do great bodily harm less than murder, and one count of assault and battery.
The 17-year-old is currently being held at Alpena County Jail on $150,000 bond and is expected to appear in court on May 17.
The boy is being hailed as a hero for his quick-thinking actions to save his little sister. The siblings’ uncle shared on Facebook how proud he is of his nephew.
“I’m very proud of my nephew and I know my niece’s traumatized and I’m sending prayers for her they had to be extremely scary for her,” the uncle wrote.
