Kids lemonade stand held up at gunpoint as police release suspect images
The stand was operated by a 12-year-old boy and his sister, who witnessed the incident on June 10
Boston police are searching for two suspects accused of robbing a lemonade stand at gunpoint while two children were operating it in a neighborhood incident that has sparked widespread concern.
According to the Boston Police Department, the robbery took place on Wednesday, June 10, when a 12-year-old boy and his sister were running the stand and noticed two individuals making several passes by the area before approaching them.
Investigators say the suspects initially asked the children whether they accepted Apple Pay. Before the victims could respond, the situation escalated.
“Before the victims could respond, the suspects grabbed a box containing U.S. currency,” police said in a statement.
Authorities added that one of the suspects then displayed a black firearm tucked into his waistband before both individuals fled the scene.
Police have since released images of the suspects, who appeared to be wearing ski masks during the incident.
Officials are urging anyone with information to contact investigators at (617) 343-4742.
The children involved told local media outlet WHDH that the suspect approached the stand, implied he needed to take the money, and then showed a gun before grabbing the cash box.
“My sister, she put her hands up and I just said, ‘you can have it,’” the 12-year-old boy recalled.
Despite the traumatic experience, the children say they plan to reopen their lemonade stand.
They also intend to donate a portion of their earnings to efforts aimed at reducing gun violence in their community.
