Sometimes, being in the right place at the right time isn’t enough to make things right. It takes courage to stand up for those in need and protect the vulnerable. This is exactly what Arnaud Nimenya, Carsyn Wright, James Hielema, and Starlyn Rives-Perez did when they found themselves in a situation they will never forget.
Late one night, these four young boys were skateboarding in an underground parking lot when they stumbled upon a disturbing sight. A visibly intoxicated young girl, about 15 years old, was being forcibly dragged by a well-dressed older man. It was clear to the boys that something was terribly wrong. The girl was scared and desperate to escape, with bruises and dirt covering her.
As the boys approached to help, the man claimed to be the girl’s father. However, something didn’t sit right with the boys, and they decided to step back. They didn’t want to believe the worst about someone, so they brushed off their concerns and hoped for the best. But their instincts told them there was more to the story, so they turned around to check on the girl once again.
To their horror, they discovered the man sexually assaulting the defenseless girl. They were shocked and froze at the sight before them, unsure of what to do. Without hesitation, they knew they needed to act quickly. They ran towards the attacker, who tried to escape the parking lot, confident that he could get away with his actions.
However, these brave young men refused to let him go unpunished. Determined to catch him, they engaged in a physical confrontation with the attacker, even enduring hits from their own skateboards. Fortunately, the police arrived just in time to apprehend the man.
The boys’ heroic actions didn’t go unnoticed. The police recognized their courage and bravery and invited them to the Chief’s Awards Gala. Here, they would be honored for their selfless act and receive the public recognition they deserved.
We are incredibly proud of these young men and the way they handled such a challenging situation. They risked their own lives to protect a vulnerable girl, proving themselves to be true heroes and an inspiration to us all.
