ALPENA, Michigan — A Michigan girl was able to escape an attempted kidnapping when her brother used a slingshot to hit the would-be attacker, authorities said this week.
mlive.com reports that Michigan State Police arrested the accused assailant in the town of Alpena on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old’s name has not been released, though he has been charged as an adult with one count of attempted kidnapping/incitement of a child, one count of attempted assault to cause great bodily harm less than murder, and one count of assault and battery. .
Michigan State Police said in a news release that the 8-year-old girl was in her backyard when the alleged shooter came out of the woods, grabbed her and covered her mouth. Authorities said the girl’s 13-year-old brother hit the alleged attacker in the head and chest with a slingshot.
Police later arrested the 17-year-old based on another family member’s description of the suspect. Authorities also said the teen had visible injuries from the slingshot.