Charlotte, NC– A 12-year-old boy is facing charges after he and his six-year-old brother allegedly robbed a woman at gunpoint.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. Sunday at the Coffey Creek Apartments near Diamond Creek Circle and South Tryon Street.
The victim told authorities that she allowed the children to use her phone to call their mother but once she handed them the phone, they took off running.
The victim says she followed the children to get her phone back and that’s when the 12-year-old pulled out a gun and pointed it at her.
The child then tried to pistol-whip the woman before both children ran into a nearby apartment complex.
Authorities were able to find and identify both of the children.
After making contact with the children and their mother, the six-year-old was said to have led investigators to the gun.
“You have to look at that 6-year-old as a victim,” authorities said. “He’s a victim of his circumstances and environment, right?”
Officials reported that though the gun looks real, it was actually a BB gun.
Authorities say they know the family and have tried to keep the children out of trouble after seeing crimes in their family and crimes involving some of their friends.
They have since charged the 12-year-old with a felony.