Las Cruces hero Canaan Bower killed in motorcycle crash
LAS CRUCES – Canaan Bower — a Mayfield High School wrestling champ who gained national prominence after stopping a kidnapping in progress — died Wednesday in a motorcycle crash.
Bower was 18.
Las Cruces police responded to a motor vehicle crash in the 2000 block of South Triviz Drive — just south of Missouri Avenue — about 8:30 p.m. March 9. Officers learned a motorcyclist was traveling south on Triviz and collided with a vehicle turning north onto Triviz.
Police said the motorcyclist — Bower — died at the scene.
The crash is under investigation, police said.
Kara Garrett Bower, Canaan's mother, shared a heartfelt post Thursday on Facebook after learning of her son's death.
"We are overwhelmed with sadness, but feel compelled to share with the world as he was loved (by) many. Last night Canaan was killed in a motorcycle accident. Canaan lived life to the fullest, and loved with his whole heart. He will be forever missed." Kara wrote.
A local hero
On March 25, 2020, Bower — then a high school junior home from school amid the pandemic — went to a gas station in Doña Ana to fill up and get a drink at 9 a.m. When he came out of the building, he heard a woman screaming at Chucky's Gas Station, which was across the street.
"She had a baby in her arms and was running away towards inside the store, and there was a guy coming after her, getting really frustrated. I got in my truck and headed over there. When I got there, they already were inside the store, so I walked up into the door," Bower told the Sun-News in 2021 after recollecting the incident.
Patrons and a store manager were holding the door closed but Canaan opened the door and first saw a "pile" of blood on the floor. Without hesitation, he walked up to the man causing a ruckus, pinned him down and held him there until Doña Ana County sheriff's deputies arrived.
Much of the action was captured on the building's surveillance cameras. The footage shows Daniel Beltran Arroyo, of Phoenix, trying to forcibly take a woman's children and then assaulting several patrons and employees who tried to intervene.
Beltran Arroyo was charged with four counts of battery, two counts of assault, two counts of child abuse and one count of kidnapping in the seemingly random attack.
Bower's act of bravery was recognized locally, nationally and internationally. Here are just a few of the accolades:
The Carnegie Hero Fund Commission which presents "the highest honor for civilian heroism" reached out to the Bower family about certifying him as a hero.
UFC President Dana White and mixed-martial-arts champions Henry Cejudo and Jorge Masvidal shouted him out on social media.
Bower was selected as the USA Wrestling Athlete of the week, in recognition of his bravery, and the New Mexico State Senate proclaimed him as a hero.
Bower was recognized by Doña Ana County with a proclamation, honoring his courage, bravery and heroism, and naming that day as the Canaan Bower day of Valor.
9/11 hero Tim Duffy did a Facetime chat with Canaan, and a 9/11 memorial group recognized him.
He has appeared on multiple national podcasts.
Discovery ID produced a story about him.
This is a developing story and may be updated.
Lucas Peerman can be reached at lpeerman@lcsun-news.com or @LittleGuyInATie on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Canaan Bower, Las Cruces hero, killed in motorcycle crash
