Police said two juvenile suspects fled after taking a cash box from two children on West Ninth Street.
BOSTON, MA — Boston police searched Thursday for two suspects accused of robbing two children at gunpoint while they ran a lemonade stand Wednesday afternoon on West Ninth Street in South Boston.
The robbery shook a neighborhood where the stand had been set up as a simple summer activity. Police said the children were not hurt, but their family said they were frightened after two suspects returned to the stand, displayed a gun and took a box holding the money the children had earned.
Officers responded at about 4:44 p.m. Wednesday to 157 West Ninth St. after a radio call reported an armed robbery. Police said a description went out before officers arrived, saying two juvenile males had fled on foot down West Ninth Street toward Dorchester Street. One suspect was seen displaying a black firearm in his waistband. Dave Byrne, the children’s father, said his 11-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son had been selling lemonade when two youths first came by and asked about paying without cash. “My kids immediately just put their hands up and said, ‘Take whatever you want,’” Byrne said.
Police said the suspects passed the lemonade stand several times before approaching the children and asking whether they accepted Apple Pay. Before the children could answer, police said, one suspect grabbed a box containing cash from the stand. One of the suspects then displayed the black firearm in his waistband before both ran from the area. The amount of money taken has not been released. Byrne said the box was later found nearby, but it was empty. No injuries were reported, and police had not released the names of the children because they are minors.
Byrne said the children had set up the stand to earn a few dollars and learn the value of work. He said the robbery turned that lesson into something far harsher. “I’m pretty disgusted with it,” Byrne said. “They’re young children. They’re 11 and 12 years old. It was in the middle of broad daylight.” The incident drew concern from neighbors and elected officials because it happened during the afternoon on a residential South Boston street. Police had not said Thursday whether they recovered a weapon or whether surveillance video from nearby homes or businesses was being reviewed.
No arrests had been announced as of Thursday morning. Boston police said the case remained an active investigation and that neither suspect had been identified publicly. Because the suspects were described as juveniles, officials had not released names or detailed identifying information. The next steps are expected to include witness interviews, review of any available video and a search for the two suspects seen leaving toward Dorchester Street. Police had not announced charges, a court date or a news briefing in the case.
Neighbors said the robbery was disturbing because the victims were children doing something ordinary on their own block. Suzanna Ruotolo, who lives nearby, said the incident was “awful and scary” and not something she expected on her street. Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn called the robbery “disturbing” and said the community’s thoughts were with the children and their family. Byrne said he was proud of how his children reacted under pressure by protecting each other and giving up the money rather than risking harm.
The children were safe Thursday, and the investigation remained open. Police had not reported an arrest or said how much money was taken from the lemonade stand.
Author note: Last updated June 11, 2026.