Overview

• Two boys, aged 7 and 9, were disarmed by Bernalillo County deputies after a February standoff involving a loaded handgun, as shown in newly released footage.
• Deputies used drones for real-time monitoring and fired non-lethal rounds to safely resolve the situation without deadly force.
• Authorities revealed the boys were taught to use the firearm, a behavior linked to ongoing family trauma and systemic barriers to mental health services.
• The boys remain with their guardians under behavioral health oversight, while the seized firearm is part of an ongoing investigation.
• Law enforcement is considering charges against adults under the Bennie Hargrove law, which holds guardians accountable for minors’ access to firearms.