In a shocking and unsettling incident, dramatic bodycam footage has captured the moment two young boys — just 7 and 9 years old — were involved in an armed standoff with sheriff’s deputies in New Mexico.
Clad in Minecraft and Star Wars pajamas, the boys were found wielding a loaded handgun after a reported disturbance. Deputies responded quickly, surrounding the area and de-escalating the situation without any injuries. The footage shows the children visibly agitated, pointing the weapon and refusing to drop it at first.
The local sheriff’s office is now under scrutiny for choosing not to arrest the children, but officials are standing by the decision, describing the case as a “complex intersection of juvenile crime, mental health, and public safety.”
“This isn’t just a crime scene. It’s a cry for help,” one deputy was quoted as saying.
Authorities are working with child services and mental health professionals to ensure the children get the support they need — but the incident has reignited national conversations about gun safety, youth intervention, and the growing impact of trauma on kids.