A 13-year-old boy is being called a hero after saving his family from a violent home invasion on the 4th of July.
The teen, along with his 3-year-old cousin, his mother and three other women were inside a home in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania when police say three armed men broke in.
“They said they wanted the money and I’m thinking ‘what money?’ I don’t have any money,” said the teen’s mother, who did not want to be identified.
Police say the woman’s 13-year-old son sprang into action. He ran downstairs and out of a back door and went to a nearby ice cream stand parking lot to call police, using a cell phone he borrowed from a stranger.
“I kept thinking to myself, if he didn’t make it out there is no way we’re going to make it out,” said his mother. “There was nobody there to help us.”
Having no idea if her son was okay, the woman says she prayed for help. Seconds later, police kicked in the front door.
“If it was not for my son we probably would not be alive,” said the woman. “I don’t think they had any intention of letting us live.”
Police say the alleged gunmen didn’t put up much of a fight and were quickly arrested.
“We believe in our initial investigation that they hit the wrong house,” said Upper Darby Police Superintendent Michael Chitwood. “They were looking for a drug house and this house was not a drug house.”
Delaware County Times identifies the suspects as Dominique Avery, Darryl Sanders, and Jerel Whitaker, all from Philadelphia. Police say they’ve all had past run-ins with the law. They’re being held in the Delaware County Prison on $250,000 bail. As for the woman involved in the terrifying ordeal, she’s thankful to be alive and proud of her son.
“He is definitely a hero,” said the boy’s mother while in tears. “He saved six lives including his own. I’m just grateful and thankful that he had the mind to do that.