Overview

• Drone and bodycam footage released by the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office shows the tense standoff involving two children with a loaded handgun on February 16, 2025.
• Deputies used non-lethal rounds and de-escalation techniques to safely resolve the situation, seizing the firearm but not charging the boys, who remain in their home.
• The incident highlights systemic gaps in juvenile mental health services, with the family previously requiring over 50 law enforcement interventions and facing barriers to care.
• The Behavioral Health Unit is now working with the family, offering trauma therapy and support while addressing broader service challenges in the community.
• Investigations continue into how the boys accessed the firearm, with potential charges under New Mexico's Benny Hargrove law being considered for responsible adults.