A 12-year-old was ordered held on bail yesterday after he was charged with allegedly carrying a gun and throwing it in a front yard when he spotted police officers.
The boy, who is not being identified because of his age, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment yesterday, authorities said. He was ordered held on $10,000 bail.
“Think of the damage a child of that age could do with a loaded firearm,” said Suffolk District Attorney Daniel Conley. “Think of the harm he could cause, to someone else or even himself. Who on earth would give a 12-year-old a gun, and for what possible reason?”
Officers in an unmarked cruiser were patrolling a Roxbury neighborhood Saturday evening when they spotted a group of five young boys walked toward them. The officers saw one of the boys throw something in front yard of home and continued to look at the officers as they walked past the cruiser, authorities said.
One of the officers went to check what the boy discarded and discovered it was a Bryco Arms .380 caliber gun. He notified his partner and the group of boys started to run.
Other officers responded to the neighborhood and the boys – who ranged in age from 11 to 15 – was eventually located.
Officers located each of the boys parents or guardians and they went to the district station to be interviewed; however, authorities said their parents refused to let them be interviewed.
Four of the boys were released and the boy in possession of the gun was charged.
