A recently released video from the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico, captures a harrowing incident involving two young brothers, ages 7 and 9, handling a loaded handgun during a standoff with deputies in February 2025. In the footage, the boys are seen passing the firearm between them while deputies repeatedly urge them to drop the weapon. At one point, one of the boys raises the gun and pulls the trigger; fortunately, the weapon malfunctions, preventing a potential tragedy.

Deputies employed a non-lethal round to distract the children before safely intervening and securing the weapon. No charges were filed against the boys. Instead, authorities are providing the family with trauma therapy, medical services, behavioral support, and other assistance.

Sheriff John Allen highlighted the incident as an example of the complex challenges at the intersection of juvenile crime, mental health, and public safety. He emphasized the importance of addressing such situations with comprehensive support rather than solely through punitive measures.

The video underscores the critical role of drone technology in law enforcement, providing real-time situational awareness that can aid in resolving potentially deadly encounters without resorting to lethal force.

This incident has sparked broader discussions about youth access to firearms and the importance of mental health resources, prompting calls for legislative action to address the state’s escalating crime rates.

For a visual account of the incident, you can watch the released footage here: