In a disturbing incident, two children in Boston, aged 11 and 12, were robbed at gunpoint while trying to earn some extra cash from their lemonade stand. This occurred in broad daylight, around 4:45 p.m. on a Wednesday, in South Boston.
The young entrepreneurs noticed a couple of teens walking by who then approached and asked if they accepted Apple Pay. Before they could answer, one of the suspects grabbed their money safe, while the other showed a gun hidden in his waistband, according to Boston Police.
After quickly fleeing with about $50, the children called their father, who promptly reported the incident to the authorities.
So far, no suspects have been arrested, but police released images and a video featuring the individuals who appeared in the vicinity.
During the police inquiry, the children’s mother, Jennifer Byrne, expressed her distress to NBC Boston, noting how traumatic the event had been for her and her kids.
She recounted that her daughter had called her, crying and terrified, saying, “Someone pointed a gun at us and took all our money.”
According to Mr. Byrne, shortly after the robbery, a neighbor spotted the suspects with the kids’ piggy bank and shouted for them to stop. However, the thieves dropped the bank but managed to grab the cash before running away.
Byrne mentioned that one of the suspects was a young black male, probably around 10 or 11 years old, wearing a balaclava. The second suspect, slightly older, also wore a black mask and different attire.
“It’s just heartbreaking that two innocent kids trying to make some pocket money have to face such danger. It’s really horrible,” she said.
Boston City Councilman Ed Flynn remarked on Facebook that this robbery underlined the necessity for increased police presence and reinforced community policing. He shared the sentiments of concern, stating: “Our community stands with the children and families affected by this terrible event.”
No one expects a lemonade stand to be a site of such violence, especially in a city that prides itself on being safe.
As a sign of support, neighbors plan to gather on Friday night to rally around the children and their lemonade stand.
