In an attempt to kidnap three children from their mother, a man brutally beat several gas station employees and a good Samaritan who intervened before once again lunging toward the children. Unfortunately for him, a wrestling champion was headed in his direction.
When Troy Bower and his 16-year-old son, Canaan Bower, pulled into a convenience store near Las Cruces, New Mexico, the pair were unaware that destiny had brought them there for a crucial reason. While stopping for a hotdog and soda, they heard a commotion and went in to be greeted by a terrifying sight.
ABC 13 reports that a mother and her three children — ages 9, 2, and 1 — were waiting for an Uber driver when a man suddenly grabbed the arm of her 2-year-old and demanded she let go of the child. The desperate mother pulled away from the man and ran with her kids into the gas station for help.
Witnesses confirmed that 22-year-old Daniel Arroyo Beltran pursued the woman and her children, forcing his way into the store and beating two female attendants and a man who tried to intervene. However, just when Beltran had overtaken them and resumed his pursuit of the innocent children, a hero arose in the most unexpected form.
Troy told reporters that his 16-year-old son, Canaan, walked over to Beltran, picked him up from behind, and body-slammed him into the ground. The teen then put the kidnapper in a chokehold and effortlessly restrained him until the police arrived. Incredibly, Canaan isn’t your typical teenage boy — he’s a 6-foot-2-inch, district high school wrestling champion in the 285-pound heavyweight division.
Canaan’s parents explained that the two female attendants were “badly beaten” and that the man who attempted to force Beltran out “got his face caved in.” No matter how many people stepped in to stop Beltran, they simply couldn’t stop him. Fortunately, Canaan was in the right place at the right time.
“The gas station clerk said that people were trying to help to no avail, they tried hitting him with a broom and throwing things at him, but it was not working,” Canaan’s father wrote on Facebook. “With no regards for his own safety Canaan grabbed the man and threw him to the ground, where he kept him pinned until the police arrived about five minutes later. Canaan is a very big kid who recently took 1st place for Mayfield High School in the District Wrestling Championship. There is a very good chance that Canaan saved many lives today and he definitely protected the kids from harm.”
Troy expressed concern for his son’s safety, adding that there was no way of knowing “if this guy’s maybe got a gun or a knife.” However, his parents admitted that they are proud of Canaan’s courage and unhesitant willingness to help the innocent.
“He truly does have a heart of gold,” Canaan’s mother, Kara, wrote. “Anyone who has ever met him can attest to that. He is 6’2 and 250+ pounds of solid muscle, but his heart is even bigger. He is exceptionally humble and very nonchalant about all of this. I told him that someone I talked to had said that ‘he beat the crap out of the guy’ and Canaan was a little upset by this. He said ‘mom, I wouldn’t do that.’ Canaan is too nice to hurt people, any people. Canaan clarified that the man was much smaller then him, he just grabbed him and took him to the floor like he does in wrestling and held him down until the cops got there.”
Beltran has a lengthy criminal record, which includes a slew of charges involving drugs, drunk driving, and resisting arrest. Now, he can add battery, assault, child abuse, and kidnapping charges to his list, according to local authorities.
As for Canaan, his parents confirmed that he is humbly appreciative of the praise that he has rightfully received for his selfless act of bravery.
“I was just talking to Canaan,” Kara added. “I gave him an overview of all the comments and told him that probably 1,000 people said to tell him thank you and to give him a hug to which he replied “ok give them to me” and precedes to hug me multiple times. This kid. While many people have commended Troy and I and complimented us on our parenting. Troy Bower and I both agree and know that we are not responsible for how Canaan is. Canaan has always had an abundance of compassion and a multitude of God given gifts and abilities.”
In light of scammers attempting to cash in on Canaan’s heroism, his parents want to reiterate that their son doesn’t have any social media accounts and will never send emails asking for money. Any information can be found on their Facebook accounts.
Canaan’s selfless and courageous actions may be the only reason that three young children are safe and sound with their mother. In today’s atmosphere, this humble hero’s story is one worth sharing.
