Two small boys, who are just 7 and 9 years old, were caught on drone footage engaged in an armed standoff with deputies in Albuquerque, New Mexico. While the boys were detained at the scene, they have not been charged, and officials made it clear that they do not intend to criminally charge the minors.
The video, released by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO), has been circulating on the internet since it was released on Thursday. The footage shows the children crouching with a handgun behind an air-conditioning unit outside.
Both children are dressed in pyjamas, one bearing a Minecraft design and the other featuring a Star Wars theme. They appear to be hiding to evade authorities as they take turns holding the gun. The deputies can be heard urging the boys to drop the gun and “come talk” with them while assuring them that they are not in trouble. At one point, the officers reportedly fired a non-lethal shot at the boys before they eventually closed in on them and grabbed the weapon.
The footage of the February 6 incident was released last week to BCSO’s behavioural health unit and a new initiative focused on juvenile intervention, according to Fox News. At a recent press conference, Sheriff John Allen justified the decision to refrain from arresting the boys, pointing to the complexity of the case.
“This case illustrates the complex intersection of juvenile crime, mental health, and public safety,” Allen stated. He also revealed that there were issues at the boy’s home that led to deputies visiting on multiple occasions before the incident.
Despite their dangerous behaviour, the boys have not been removed from their homes, and no criminal charges have been filed. The firearm was confiscated, but authorities are still unsure how the boys obtained it.
“Children are our future,” Sheriff Allen said, adding that while some will say, “Lock them in jail,” they are very young. He also highlighted that he understands the frontal lobe, seemingly indicating that the boys did not fully grasp what they were doing and hence should not be held responsible as adults.
According to the report, the department’s behavioural health unit is currently working closely with the families of the two minors, aiming to provide resources and prevent further escalation. A sergeant from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office told the media that they were doing everything possible to support and assist the children involved.