9-Year-Old Boy Robbed at Gunpoint on Boston Playground, 2 Black Teens Arrested: 'I Was Terrified'

Two teenagers have been arrested and charged for allegedly robbing a 9-
year-old boy on a Boston playground.

The victim was at Children’s Park, a public playground, in the evening of 
Thursday, July 25, waiting for a cookout to begin when he was approached by 
two teen boys, according to a police report obtained by PEOPLE.

While brandishing and pointing a replica firearm at the victim, the teens 
allegedly asked him for his shoes, iPhone and money before fleeing the 
scene, Boston Police said.

"I was terrified," the victim, whose identity was not released by police, 
recalled to Boston news outlet WCVB. “I was thinking like, 'What if I die 
right here on the spot, right here?' " 

"All he wanted to do is just shoot me right there if I didn't give him my 
password," the boy added. "I had to get them because I didn't want to get 
shot."

Officers quickly found two individuals who matched the teens’ descriptions 
and “successfully stopped” them, police said.

After detaining the suspects, officers took custody of the victim’s iPhone, 
along with a “black and red replica firearm” and two fake magazines, police 
said.

The two teens were charged with armed robbery and threat to commit a crime, 
according to Boston Police. Like the victim, their identities have not been 
publicized.

Also speaking with WCVB, the victim’s mother, whose identity was not 
publicized, said she feels unsafe following the incident.

"It's scary,” she told the outlet. “I mean, it's very scary. We're not 
safe."

In a statement provided to CBS News, Essex County District Attorney Kevin 
Hayden emphasized that the age of the victim makes this incident even more 
shocking than usual.

"Being robbed at gunpoint is a terrifying experience for anyone,” Hayden 
said. “But the age of the victim here, and the ages of the charged 
juveniles, adds an extra layer of shock and heartbreak.”

“I commend this young boy and the adults present for providing the 
information that led to the arrest,” he added.

Hayden did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

https://people.com/9-year-old-boy-robbed-at-gunpoint-boston-playground-
8684845