Sometimes we see people in a difficult situation and our mind wonders what we should do. We would have an inkling that helping them would be the right step. However, it would take some courage to help a stranger, especially when we were not 100% sure that the person needed it. In this article, we were glad that some people turned to heroes because they decided to help someone in need. Some teenagers were recognized for their heroic deeds.
Another Day In The Park
There was a group of friends that consisted of James Hielema, Arnaud Nimenya, Carsyn Wright, and Starlyn Rives-Perez, and they decided to meet up at the park. They spent most of their day at the skate park that was at the underground parking lot. It was the perfect place where they could play and hone their skills. But time flew fast, and it was time for them to pack up and leave. Once the four of them got out of the park, they discussed what they should do next.
Another Day In The Park
Something’s Not Right
As they made their way back home, the group of friends noticed a teenage girl and two older men. The three of them passed by the lawn and were on their way to the parking garage. At first, the group did not mind what they saw until they realized that the girl had an untidy appearance. By then, James Hielema, Arnaud Nimenya, Carsyn Wright, and Starlyn Rives-Perez thought something fishy was going on. That was why they decided to ask what the older men were doing.
Something’s Not Right
They Couldn’t Help But Notice
The group of friends noticed that the teenage girl was walking in front of the two men. However, James Hielema, Arnaud Nimenya, Carsyn Wright, and Starlyn Rives-Perez saw other people in the area. At first glance, the situation did not seem to be alarming. Everything seemed reasonable, and the other people passing by did not mind the teenage girl and the two men who accompanied her. They were still unaware of the truth behind what was happening.
They Couldn’t Help But Notice
They Checked The Area
Even though they have seen the strange occurrence, James Hielema, Arnaud Nimenya, Carsyn Wright, and Starlyn Rives-Perez decided to take their leave from the underground parking garage. As they were about to leave, the group of skaters saw something that froze them on the spot. It was because of what they have seen the other people were doing. We could not stop being curious about what the group saw in the underground parking garage that made them stop and freeze on the spot.
They Checked The Area
She Was Shouting
Among the four skaters, there was one of them who vividly remembered what happened at the underground parking garage. Carsyn Wright did not hesitate to share about the experience and what they saw. The skater said, “She was screaming and yelling. She just wanted to be out of there.” Because of the teenage girl’s actions, the group of friends started to think that there was something fishy going on. They were beginning to believe that the girl desperately needed help.
She Was Shouting
They Were Threatened
In addition to the previous statements, Carsyn Wright also remembered what they had seen that day. The skater further revealed, “the guy was dressed in very nice clothes… and the girl was all dirty, she was crying, her nose was bleeding.” James Hielema, Arnaud Nimenya, Carsyn Wright, and Starlyn Rives-Perez decided to observe what was happening in front of them. They took the courage to ask the older men what they were doing to the poor teenage girl.
They Were Threatened
His Story
There were four of them and only two of the men. Still, they felt intimidated because the guys are older than them. Who knew what could happen if everything went wrong? The bigger guy in that situation is claiming that he was the father.
His Story
She Didn’t Ask For Help
The boys already decided to back off after hearing what was being told by the bigger guy. Perhaps he saw that his daughter was drunk or maybe doing some illegal behavior. They stayed away because she did not ask for help after that. Maybe it was the truth.
She Didn’t Ask For Help
Easier Way
After what had happened, it was already getting late instead, and the teens had to go home. They gathered all their things and now set aside their doubts. They wanted everything to leave and forget. It was not that hard to believe the man.
Easier Way
Calgary Is A Safe Place
However, the truth is that the boys all felt bothered about what had happened. Calgary is generally safe, but they knew that bad thing could possibly happen anywhere, everywhere in the world. What runs into their mind is that “Did the man tell them the truth or not?”
Calgary Is A Safe Place
Feeling Anxious
They could not deny the fact that the girl appeared intoxicated. Could her father have caught her doing something that she should not be doing? Still, the boys felt very much uneasy about what they saw in the parking lot.
Feeling Anxious
They Look Suspicious
They were really bothered by how confident the man seemed to be when he claimed to be the girl’s father. Well, in fact, you might even say that he said it arrogantly. But it seems it did not sound like normal behavior at all.
They Look Suspicious
Unexpected Reaction
While they were discussing the situation, Carsyn explained: “She was all dragged off the floor and dirty”. They could tell that things were tense between the girl and the two men. What shocked them the most was the moment when the man carried her on his shoulder.
Unexpected Reaction
They Were Bothered
They were really bothered by how confident the man seemed to be when he claimed to be the girl’s father. Well, in fact, you might even say that he said it arrogantly. But it seems it did not sound like normal behavior at all.
They Were Bothered
Surprising Response
“She was all scuffed up and dirty,” explained Carsyn. They could tell that things were tense between the girl and the two men. What shocked them the most was the moment the man carried her on a shoulder.
Surprising Response
They Need To Know
Aside from that, they realized that the girl had been resisting them. The teens all felt the instinct and decided to head back to the parking lot. Perhaps they could check if everything was all right down there once more.
They Need To Know
Something Bad
The tougher the boys’ idea and thinking about the situation, the higher they suspected about the case was something to be amiss. Did the men and girls even know each other? What did they plan to do in the parking lot anyway?
Something Bad
Going To Help
They knew in their hearts that something bad must be happening here. The teens then dashed returned to the underground parking garage as shortly as they could. Hopefully, what they realized did not hit them too late.
Going To Help
Hoping For The Best
Wright was the one to persuade them. He said, “You don’t want to think that somebody can do that and can be like that. You think that the situation is not real, so you just brush it off and hope for the best.”
Hoping For The Best
They Were Out Of Sight
They can no longer find the men and the girl when they get outside the parking garage. They knew precisely what they needed to do. They had a no different choice, however than to enter the garage and look if the trio were there.
They Were Out Of Sight
Chinook Centre
The teenage boys had no idea at all that the men they saw were more than what they seemed. When they got into the underground parking garage of the Chinook Centre, they were actually in Calgary’s dark underbelly already.
Chinook Centre
Hiding Something In The Dark
By then, the factor of return was once no longer in sight. There was a big problem where the area was once facing. While the mall might seem upmarket, it looked like it was hiding something terrifying and dark at the back of the scenes.
Hiding Something In The Dark
Mythical Beast
Officer Arthur L. Doner had been gaining knowledge about the crime in Southwest Calgary. However, he cannot locate anything useful. It was starting to feel like the dealings of the gangs have been solely only a mythical beast.
Mythical Beast
Bring Down The Hydra
Whenever he managed to take down a member, it seemed like two more would get there. Back then, he did no longer know that his big break would come when these young men tried to bring down Hydra.
Bring Down The Hydra
No Protection
The boys walked slowly as they inspected the darkish storage below the Chinook Centre. On that day, the lot did not have a safety guard around. As a matter of fact, that was the very reason they went there.
No Protection
Not Really Harmless
Without a doubt, the parking garage was once the best place if you planned to do all types of antics. The boys knew that this was once the case, but so did the men. Unfortunately, their brand of fun was not harmless.
Not Really Harmless
CCTV Footage
The CCTV footage showed that the two guys looked around the parking lot. It was clear that they had been attempting to seem for something there. As they did that, the girl remained with them.
CCTV Footage
Entry To The Stairwell
Finally, the men found what they had been searching for all that time. They pushed open the door to the stairwell. They brought the girl inside, went through the stairwell, and closed the door shut.
Entry To The Stairwell
The Hollow Stairwell
When the boys lowered back to the parking lot, they crept and moved as quietly as possible. The complete location appeared emptier than it did the final time. They looked in the back of the parked cars; however, they did not see anything.
The Hollow Stairwell
What’s Inside?
It took them a couple of minutes before they saw the identical stairwell. Only a short while earlier than this, the two men entered through this door with the woman. What were they going to see there?
What’s Inside?
What They Saw
Arnaud was prepared to open the door handle. However, he wanted to make sure that his buddies would be geared up for something that should be at the back of the door. At last, it was time for the second of truth, and he now then opened it.
What They Saw
They Are Hiding Somewhere
They were utterly really shocked by the sight that all welcomed them. The boys went all over the parking storage to look for the group. They knew that the men ought to have been somewhere in the darkness.
They Are Hiding Somewhere
They Were Mum
Even though this was once the case, the teens solely found the men when they pushed open the stairwell door. They were all not prepared for what they discovered there. Let us see and find out what took place after that…
They Were Mum
Shocked
It may have been dark in there, but the boys nonetheless noticed the silhouettes of the men. While they all wanted to flee, it did not now take a seat nicely with them to depart the poor girl when they may wish to assist her out.
Shocked
Halted
The four boys have been frozen in shock and disgust when they noticed what they were doing to the girl. Arnaud Nimenya later stated that he “didn’t recognize what to do.” When the spell broke, they helped the girl out.
Halted
They’re Leaving
Of course, the two guys have been irritated by the interruption. Despite this, they had no idea at all what used to be going on. The taller guy made it across to get away from there physically. His friend followed suit.
They’re Leaving
I Can Do This
Nimenya recounted, “He pushed me aggressively out of the way, kindly simply offered me a smile…like an ‘I can do this. You can’t do anything about it.” The teens were not about to let a thing like that to happen.
I Can Do This
They Were Chasing The Men
They may want not to help, but they were really but new; however that this is the only thing they could do right now. Three boys followed the two men out of the door. One remained to be with the girl.
They Were Chasing The Men
Hunting Lawbreakers
The two men attempted to outrun the boys, however, but the young men always managed to catch up. As you can see, the teens have been dedicated to making sure that justice was served. The chase went on some more.
Hunting Lawbreakers
Attentive
Officer Arthur Doner was once organized for this moment. He received a tip that this man used to be considered in the Chinook Centre area. When he learned this, he right now drove the car to that phase of the city.
Attentive
Last Furrow Effort
He requested for backup but used to be surprised to see that he located the gang leader distinctly soon. The man even ran into the car! At the time, the boys were nonetheless pursuing the two men.
Last Furrow Effort
Police Were Expecting
The larger of the two guys became closer to the boys; they started to fight them physically. He tore a skateboard from their grip and attacked them with it. As you can see, he was now getting desperate.
Police Were Expecting
The Authorities
It was then his lousy luck that Officer Doner was lying in there, waiting the whole time. Before the boys ought to get harmed by the man, the policeman interfered. He exited his vehicle and then pushed the man to the ground.
The Authorities
Traveling Home
Finally, the officer eventually caught the man he had been chasing on them for a long time. Unfortunately, the other man managed to flee the scene right away. After this, the boys then dashed the parking lot.
Traveling Home
Leader Of A Gang
They got to the parking lot as soon as they could. They found their buddy and the girl down there. When this happened, they had no idea at all and did not think that they fought a leader of a gang.
Leader Of A Gang
Frightened
They checked to see if the girl was wonderful before they finally went home. However, it appears like matters have been not but over for them. They started to get phone calls not long after that situation.
Frightened
Continuous Calls
The phone calls keep on coming no matter what. They all felt too scared to choose up the invitations. Likely, it used to be most possibly the accomplice. At least this was what they did the whole time.
Continuous Calls
Startled At First
Chief Const. Roger Chaffin was once attempting to contact the teens to thank them for their courage and efforts. However, the boys did now not have a single clue that this was once what was occurring at the time.
Startled At First
Worried And Scared
In the end, the boys subsequently picked up the call. They really could not believe what they heard through the phone! Even though they were satisfied and relieved, there used to be also a mixed feeling of worry and fear.
Worried And Scared
They Were Honored
Nimenya said that he could not believe that they were getting honored. He said, “We continually thought we were going to be in trouble because we fought with him. When they called us, we didn’t want to answer”.
They Were Honored
Vital Person
It turns out that the man they helped apprehend was a vital person in the FOB gang. This local gang was once notorious for its different dealings all over Calgary. The teenagers were shocked to hear that.
Vital Person
Finally Taken
If the boys had not been around, who knows what would have passed off to the girl? The police worked to catch this man for so many months. This was once the first time that they succeeded in doing so!
Finally Taken
Dropping the Details
When they added this gang chief to custody, he was now then ready to cooperate with the authorities fully. Well, he was now prepared to disclose the way the gang operated! Officer Doner nonetheless could not believe his luck.
Dropping The Details
They Were Brave
Finally, Officer Doner could do something about the issues that plagued the city. This would have been not possible without the help of the boys, of course. At last, he could help improve the scenario there!
They Were Brave
Getting Recognition
The teenagers received invitations to attend the Chief’s, Award Gala. There, they would be honored for their braveness and services to Calgary. Everyone was proud of these brave young men who did the right thing.
Getting Recognition
Calgary Chief’s Award Gala
The Calgary Police Service holds this event each year as a way to thank the citizens who displayed commitment and courage. They honored the efforts that human beings put into making the town a better place.
Calgary Chief’s Award Gala
Protected Place
Here used to be what Police Chief Chaffin stated in an interview: “Calgary is a secure place to live, but it would not appear through itself, it is secure because of the humans that stay right here and the nature of looking to assist and trying to look out for each other, and that is virtually a satisfactory remark for such a large city.”
Protected Place
Boldness
Do you think you ought to be as courageous as these boys in that situation? Or do you think you would simply have walked away? Without a doubt, the boys are more daring than most people out there.
Boldness
They Did A Great Job
Every single one of us was all aware that it is difficult to stand up to a person. It would be even harder to do that to two people. The boys decided to act bravely despite this.
They Did A Great Job
Calgary Police Chief
The Police Chief began the gala night through giving a speech. He said, “Nobody gets that their day began wondering this is going to happen to them, that they’re going to be involved in one of these things.”
Calgary Police Chief
Impressive Teens
What the boys did had been very impressive, but other people did something equally heroic too. The other people to acquire the award have been none other than Juan Dolph, Jasmine Simpson, John Eddy, and Erin O’Connor.
Impressive Teens
More Awards
It does not end there, however. They additionally gave out the Award of Exceptional Recognition for Valour and the Award of Exceptional Recognition for Life-Saving to those who have been really worthy of the outstanding honor.
More Awards
Jasmine Simpson and Juan Dolph
Shall we take a peek at what the other winners did? Jasmine and Juan noticed a man hurting his ex-wife in the parking lot. Even worse, the children had been in the backseat the whole time. They intervened, called the authorities, and remained with the woman till the police arrived.
Jasmine Simpson And Juan Dolph
John Eddy
John was concerned when a car did not cross after the lights went green. It then crashed into the curb! He then checked up on the driver and learned that the man bought a heart attack. John then administered CPR.
John Eddy
Erin O’Connor
Erin was awarded for the time that she saw a fight take place in a parking lot. One man attacked any other man or woman viciously. She then chased the assailant and helped the injured one until an ambulance arrived! What a big heroic act.
Erin O’Connor
Paris Hazelwanter
Can you believe that she dodged bullets to assist a stranger? She noticed a drive-by shooting and did best to help the female victim. She and the bystanders out there worked together to help her out till the arrival of emergency services.
Paris Hazelwanter
Daxton Novak and Derek Wideman
Derek and Daxton helped out the hysterical lady who lived right above their apartment. She had been dangling from her 6th-floor balcony when this happened. It was once an excellent thing that they managed to bring her into their apartment. She tried to run when the police arrived, but they managed to stop her.
Daxton Novak And Derek Wideman
Jessica Johnson
Jessica managed to save the life of another person. She risked her existence to help out a man who climbed the far end of the bridge railing. She spoke to him and stayed with him until emergency services arrived.
Jessica Johnson
Sonia Hafeez Yousaf
Sonia did a heroic act and received the award even though she was only ten years old! What happened? Her mother got into an argument with an ex-business partner who then assaulted her. The little woman asked for help from her neighbor and contacted the police. It’s a certain thing they caught the suspect. The mother recovered too.
Sonia Hafeez Yousaf
Shirley Thiessen
They really honored Shirley Thiessen for the dying notification route for the Calgary Police Service as well. In 2012, she truly heard about her son’s passing from the police. However, they did this so poorly that it solely made matters worse for the family. She is now determined to educate others about this important topic.
Shirley Thiessen
Constable Patty Desormeau
Constable Patty Desormeau was another recipient of the award for her work on the vulnerable person self-registry for the Calgary Police. The CPS Diversity Resources Unit member did this to help human beings with disabilities. Her efforts certainly paid off!
Constable Patty Desormeau
Nestor Aravena Bonastre
Nestor is another person with a good heart who got recognition at the event. He saw a teenage girl who wanted to jump from the bridge. The police recounted, “As he got closer, she went over the ledge and hung with the aid of her hands. Nestor made a split-second decision and grabbed hold of her hands to stop her falling”. They also said, “Nestor hung there, leaning over the bridge, retaining the girl for more than three minutes in 35-degree temperatures before police arrived. An officer arrived, leaned over the edge, and grabbed hold of the girl’s leg to pull both her and Nestor back again to a safe location.”
Nestor Aravena Bonastre