A video recently released by the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) has caused deep concern across the country. The images show an incident that occurred on February 16, when two children, aged just 7 and 9 years old, were caught handling a loaded gun in a residential area of the county. The incident was captured by a police drone, allowing officers to intervene in time and prevent a possible fatal outcome.
The case was presented publicly during a press conference on May 8, where local authorities announced a new strategy to strengthen the response to mental health crises in minors, as well as to address the growing risks associated with juvenile delinquency.
What exactly happened?
Police were alerted by a 911 call about two children on a public street who appeared to be playing with a gun.
Upon arrival at the scene, BCSO ‘s Drone Unit flew over the area and recorded how the minors passed the weapon to each other and then attempted to hide it.
Immediately, the tactical team deployed an encirclement operation to disarm them using non-lethal force, such as low velocity projectile markers and auditory distraction devices.
The intervention was coordinated with the department’s Mental Health Unit, which monitored the situation in real time.
Technology was key to avoiding a lethal confrontation, protecting the minors and at the same time securing the area
John Allen, sheriff of Bernalillo County
A symptom of a larger problem
According to authorities, the children’s home had been visited by police at least 50 times in the past for various incidents related to family conflicts and alleged parental neglect.
It has not yet been clarified how they obtained the weapon or whether any adults are under formal investigation. Nor have criminal charges been filed against the children at this time.
This event adds to a disturbing series of violent episodes involving minors in the state of New Mexico, such as a mass shooting in Las Cruces in March that left three dead and 15 injured, and a hit-and-run case in Albuquerque.
What are the police doing now?
According to authorities, the children’s family is receiving specialized care, including trauma therapy, behavioral support, medical care and food assistance.
The Sheriff’s Office has launched a plan to expand the use of drones, strengthen its mental health unit and establish preventive protocols to avoid similar situations from recurring.
“We are closing gaps that for years left many children without real support.
“This case could have ended very badly, and that is why we are acting quickly and decisively,” Allen stated.
The approach, he said, is to reduce the need for forceful police interventions and increase the system’s ability to act in a timely manner in risky contexts.
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