6-Year-Old And 12-Year-Old Accused Of Pointing Gun At Woman’s Face In North Carolina Robbery
A 12-year-old North Carolina child has been charged with armed robbery in an incident that happened Sunday morning in southwest Charlotte.
In a news conference Monday, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said the robbery was reported at an apartment complex near Diamond Creek Circle and South Tryon Street. Police said a 6-year-old and a 12-year-old are accused of carrying it out.
Capt. Jason Helton said around 8 a.m. Sunday, the victim allowed the two kids, who are brothers, to use her phone to call their mom, but they took off running with the phone.
Helton said she followed them to get the phone back, and that was when the 12-year-old pointed a gun at her face and tried to pistol whip her. The two ran to a nearby apartment complex, Helton said.
CMPD called the children’s mother, who police said they had previously contacted, as they were familiar with the family.
Helton said that gun, though it looks real, turned out to be a BB gun.
He said if the woman had been armed, it could have been a tragic case, and that’s why the department found it important to highlight.
“Officers are dealing with juveniles every single day. Property crimes, violent crimes. And when I say juveniles, I mean kids — I mean ages 11, 12, 13, 14 years old — and it seems like they just keep getting younger and younger,” he said.
He offered the following advice to parents: Know where your kids are, and know what’s on their social media.
He said one of the children had posed with a gun a couple days prior on social media. He asked parents to check in with their kids, talk to them, and see who they’re hanging out with.
Helton said like the victim in this case, many people just want to help.
But be aware when you do, you could be a victim of a crime.
Capt. Helton touched on just how young the 6-year-old is to be involved in something like this.
“You have to look at that 6-year-old as a victim,” he said. “He’s a victim of his circumstances and environment, right?”
The 12-year-old is charged with armed robbery and damage to property, police said.
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