If you’re a parent who witnessed your children being kidnapped, it can be very frightening.

Even more so if it occurred in daylight and in a public place.

A similar incident happened in a small grocery store in New Mexico, United States.

In March 2020, the suspect shamelessly attempted to kidnap two small youngsters.

The entire incident could have ended in heartbreak and tragedy. But fortunately for the parent, the attempt was thwarted before any harm could be done.

The strange thing was that it wasn’t the police officer who put an end to the attack.

It was a young wrestler who chose to do the right thing when it was most needed.

A mother and her three children were waiting for their Uber outside Chuck’s Gas Station. It was at this point that the mother noticed a suspicious man staring at her and the children. His true intentions became clear when he grabbed one of them by his arm.

Then he demanded that the woman hand over her children to him.

After arguing with the man, the mother rushed her children into the gas station’s store. The man was close behind them.

Store employees and bystanders rushed to the woman’s aid.

To prevent the suspect from entering, one of the strangers initially pulled the door shut.

The man, however, forced his way inside the store and overpowered the stranger who tried to defend the situation.

Instead of fighting the suspect, the stranger went outside and pushed the door shut, preventing the man from escape.

Canaan Bower, a student-athlete across the street, noticed the commotion. He didn’t give it much thought at first until the mother started screaming.

He was paying closer attention because he knew the family and bystanders needed help.

When he entered the store, he discovered the suspect attempting to break into the storage room where the family was hiding.

Bower grabbed the suspect and using his wrestling training, pinned him down on the ground.

Bower admitted that he was concerned that the man had any weapons on him, such as a knife or a gun. Aside from that, he didn’t hesitate to keep the family out of harm’s way.

Bower restrained him until help arrived.

Soon, sirens could be heard right outside the store. Before Bower could step aside, the cops arrived and subdued the suspect.

The entire ordeal lasted only about five minutes, but it would have felt like the longest five minutes of their lives.

One count of kidnapping, four counts of battery, two counts of assault, and two counts of child abuse were filed against the suspect.

Bower, on the other hand, was charged with being a hero.

When the news broke, citizens and athletes banded together to show their support. He received praise from UFC president Dana White. As well as mixed-martial-arts champions Henry Cejudo and Jorge Masvidal.

Bower was named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week the following April. They praised Bower and his incredible act of bravery in their statement.

While he admitted that he was not used to the attention, he stated that what truly made him proud was knowing that the family he saved was safe and together.

“When someone needs help you should always help them … always be the one to do something about it,” he told Sun News.

His act with his training and athletic prowess may have been simple, but it meant everything to the family he rescued.

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https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3198089857083048

Sources: Facebook – Las Cruces Sun-News, Las Cruces Sun-News, YouTube – Active Self Protection