New Mexico Deputies Disarm Armed Boys in Drone-Monitored Standoff

In Bernalillo County, New Mexico, two young boys aged 7 and 9 were found playing with a loaded handgun in February, leading to a tense standoff with sheriff's deputies. Utilizing drone and body camera footage, deputies were able to monitor the boys' position and safely negotiate the situation, employing non-lethal rounds to distract them before disarming the children without injury. The firearm malfunctioned when one boy pulled the trigger, preventing any harm. Authorities emphasized that the boys were not treated as offenders due to their age, and no charges have been filed against them, as state law prohibits prosecuting children so young. Instead, the sheriff's office has been working with the family to provide trauma therapy, medical services, and behavioral support, while considering charges against the parents for unsafe firearm storage. This incident highlights the complex interplay of juvenile safety, mental health, and law enforcement, as well as the critical role of drone technology in safely resolving such dangerous situations.