Boy, 13, uses slingshot to scare off teen trying to kidnap little sister

A 13-year-old Michigan boy has been hailed a hero after he used a slingshot to save his 8-year-old sister from a would-be kidnapper.

The young girl was hunting for mushrooms in her backyard in Alpena Township on Wednesday when a 17-year-old boy appeared out of the woods behind her family’s home.

After emerging from the woods located near the northern Michigan home, the suspect grabbed the girl and held her mouth shut to prevent her from screaming.

He then attempted to pull her into the woods and away from her family’s home, according to WOOD TV, an NBC affiliate out of Grand Rapids.

The young girl’s older brother saw the strange teen approaching from his bedroom window and when he realized he was attempting to abduct her, he rushed into action.

The quick-thinking teen took his slingshot and began firing off at the suspect, striking him in the head and chest.

Another member of the siblings’ family saw the teenage suspect running away and alerted police to the attempted kidnapping, MLive reported.

State troopers later caught the 17-year-old suspect hiding at a nearby gas station after he became injured by the 13-year-old using his slingshot.

The suspect also admitted to troopers that he had planned to severely beat the little girl.

Officials announced that the suspect had been charged as an adult on a count of attempted kidnapping/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 expected to appear in court on May 17.