ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. โ A potentially perilous situation was defused in New Mexico, thanks to the proactive efforts of the Bernalillo County Sheriffโs Office. Sheriff John Allen praised the effectiveness of the departmentโs drone program in managing an incident involving two young boys, aged 7 and 9, who were found with a gun.
Recently released footage from drones and body cameras captured the dramatic encounter that took place in February. The video shows the tense moments as deputies urged the children to relinquish the firearm. โPut it down, baby,โ one deputy is heard pleading, while others emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue with the boys.
To safely resolve the situation, deputies deployed a non-lethal round to distract the boys. Sheriff Allen noted that during the standoff, one boy attempted to fire the weapon, but it jammed, averting potential tragedy. The drone served a pivotal role by offering real-time surveillance that enabled deputies to manage the situation effectively.
Instead of pursuing charges, officials have focused on aiding the family by providing trauma therapy, medical services, behavioral support, and prepaid grocery cards. The household had previously been the subject of numerous calls to law enforcement for various issues, underscoring a complex family situation.
Sheriff Allen highlighted the broader implications of the February 16 incident, pointing to the intricate challenges that merge juvenile crime, mental health, and public safety. โWe are making strides to bridge service gaps and improve our collaborative efforts with juveniles involved in firearms or violent crimes,โ he stated in his recent announcement.
New Mexico has experienced several incidents of violence involving young individuals recently. These include a fatal hit-and-run in Albuquerque and a mass shooting in Las Cruces that left three dead and 15 injured. These events have prompted prosecutors, law enforcement, and some Republican lawmakers to urge Democratic Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham to convene a special legislative session to tackle the crime issues facing the state.