On February 16, 2025, a distressing incident unfolded in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, involving two young boys aged seven and nine.
The boys, dressed in Minecraft and Star Wars pajamas, were seen passing around a fully loaded handgun while deputies attempted to defuse the situation.
This troubling encounter, which was captured on both bodycam and drone footage, raised serious concerns about gun safety and the responsibility of adults in these children’s lives.
The Unsettling Footage of the Boys With a Loaded Handgun
The video footage, released to the public in May, shows the boys handling the firearm carelessly, occasionally waving it in the direction of law enforcement officers.
At one point, the younger boy even pulled the trigger, but by sheer luck, the weapon malfunctioned.
Deputies, unsure how to proceed without escalating the situation, eventually fired non-lethal rounds at a wall to try to disarm the children, who seemed unaware of the danger they were in.
Throughout the tense standoff, officers are heard pleading with the boys to drop the gun, attempting to reason with them calmly and avoid a deadly confrontation.
Officers Show Restraint Amid Growing Tensions
As deputies waited for an opportunity to intervene, their voices were filled with concern and restraint.
They repeatedly asked the boys to put the weapon down and come closer to speak with them.
“Put the gun down and come and talk to us,” one officer pleaded in a soothing tone, while another officer warned his colleague to aim for the wall rather than the boys themselves.
Despite their efforts, the children continued to hold onto the weapon, forcing deputies to consider their next move carefully.
In the end, rubber bullets were fired, and the officers rushed in to disarm the boys and bring them to safety.
Sheriff Comments on the Gravity of the Situation
Sheriff John Allen of Bernalillo County later addressed the public, explaining the extreme circumstances the officers faced.
He emphasized that if the gun had gone off, the outcome could have been tragic for both the deputies and the children.
“Had that gun gone off, our deputies could have taken deadly force.
That would not have gone well with anybody in the nation,” Sheriff Allen stated.
He also acknowledged the incredible restraint shown by the deputies under such intense pressure.
No Charges Filed, But Focus on Rehabilitation
While the boys are not facing charges, Sheriff Allen pointed to the significant challenges surrounding this case.
The family involved has a history with law enforcement, and deputies had responded to their home more than 50 times prior to this incident.
The Sheriff’s Office has decided against pressing charges, opting instead to initiate a rehabilitation approach through their Behavioral Health Unit. “We want to help you.
We don’t want to hurt you,” one officer said, underscoring the shift toward providing necessary support rather than focusing on punitive measures.
The Role of Behavioral Health and Legal Concerns
Following the incident, the Behavioral Health Unit sprang into action, with a team of experts including paramedics, clinicians, and law enforcement officers arriving at the scene.
Michael Lucero, the clinical manager of the unit, explained how the system struggled to meet the needs of the family, facing delays and denials for treatment.
“This case pushed the system to its breaking point,” he said, highlighting the challenges in accessing mental health services, particularly for children as young as seven.
Sheriff Allen also acknowledged that the investigation is far from over.
While no charges have been filed against the children or their parents yet, the possibility of legal action down the road remains, especially under the Benny Hargrove Law, which holds adults criminally responsible for giving children access to firearms.
“We will look at criminal charges for those involved,” he said, suggesting that further consequences could be forthcoming.
A Call for Comprehensive Change
The case has brought attention to the pressing issue of gun safety and the need for more comprehensive support systems for families facing trauma.
As Sheriff Allen and others emphasized, the focus now is on rehabilitation rather than punishment, with an understanding that young children like these need guidance, not condemnation.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of keeping firearms away from children and ensuring that families have access to the mental health resources they need to prevent such dangerous situations.