Surprising drone footage of armed youngsters: Boys 7 and 9 in standoff with police in New Mexico

The sheriff’s workplace launched the footage throughout a press convention to spotlight the work of its Behavioral Well being Unit.

“A latest juvenile case was mentioned as a key instance of the continuing challenges that regulation enforcement are going through. On February 16, 2025, deputies responded to an alarming scenario involving two younger youngsters—ages 7 and 9—armed with a loaded firearm. Using BCSO’s drone program, deputies have been capable of monitor the scenario in real-time, offering crucial updates and enhancing situational consciousness,” the sheriff’s workplace wrote on Fb.

Reportedly, the police had referred to as the house of the incident a number of occasions earlier than the standoff scenario.

Why weren’t the youngsters arrested?

“This case illustrates the advanced intersection of juvenile crime, psychological well being, and public security,” Sheriff John Allen mentioned in an announcement, reported the New York Publish. “We’re taking essential steps to shut service gaps and develop our skill to work with juveniles concerned in firearms or violent crimes,” the sheriff added.

“We all know one aspect goes to say, ‘Lock them in jail.’ They’re 7 and 9 years outdated. I instructed you earlier than, quite a few occasions in quite a few interviews, that I perceive the frontal lobe,” Allen instructed reporters, stories Huffpost.

Allen continued that there might be potential costs towards the mother and father of the kids who have been discovered with the weapons. As per a invoice handed in 2023 in New Mexico, it’s a crime to retailer firearms in locations which might be accessible to youngsters.

A number of instances of violence involving younger suspects have been reported in New Mexico, stories NBC Information. This consists of a taking pictures in Las Cruces that claimed three lives and left 15 wounded, and a deadly hit-and-run in Albuquerque.