In an incredible display of courage and quick thinking, an 8-year-old girl in Minnesota helped thwart a robbery attempt at her father’s liquor store, proving that heroes come in all sizes. The daring act took place at Big Discount Liquors in Maplewood, where the young girl, armed with nothing but a baseball bat, stepped in to defend her father and their family business from an armed thug.
The incident unfolded around 9:30 p.m. last Saturday when Conchobhar Morrell, 37, entered the store dressed in an Amazon uniform. Surveillance footage shows Morrell pulling out what appeared to be a handgun and demanding money from the store’s register. The girl’s father, identified only as Leo, immediately complied, telling CBS News, “He put the gun on the table, he asked me to give him all the money and everything in the register. I told him, ‘Yes — I’ll give you everything.’”
But as the suspect moved to storm behind the counter where the little girl was standing, the situation took a dramatic turn. In a move that can only be described as instinctual bravery, Leo quickly punched Morrell and wrestled him to the ground. But it didn’t stop there. The surveillance video captured a moment of sheer determination as the young girl, unnoticed by her father, grabbed a baseball bat and repeatedly struck the would-be robber.
Leo later admitted he didn’t even realize his daughter had joined the fight until he reviewed the security footage. “I’m so proud of her, she’s so strong,” he said. “That day, I just wanted to cry. When I saw the video, I didn’t expect she’d do that. I expect a little girl crying, screaming.”
Morrell, clearly unprepared for the fierce defense mounted by the father-daughter duo, fled the store moments later. However, he didn’t get far. Police apprehended him nearby and charged him with first-degree attempted aggravated robbery. The firearm that Morrell had brandished during the ordeal was later revealed to be a BB gun, a fact that did little to diminish the seriousness of the threat.
The Amazon uniform added another layer of complexity to the case. According to an Amazon spokesperson, Morrell had been working as a delivery associate for a third-party service. In light of his arrest, the spokesperson confirmed that Morrell would be “immediately offboarded,” ensuring he would no longer be affiliated with the company.
Morrell is currently in custody, awaiting his initial court hearing on Friday. As the legal process unfolds, this story will likely serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of family, courage, and standing up for what’s right—values that are all too often under attack in today’s world.
In a time where crime and lawlessness seem to dominate the headlines, it’s heartening to see a story where the good guys—no matter how small—win. The bravery of this young girl and her father is a testament to the strength of character that lies at the heart of America’s families, especially in the face of adversity.
