Roxbury pre-teen charged with possession of a loaded gun

A 12-year-old boy was ordered held in lieu of $10,000 bail yesterday after police officers allegedly spotted him tossing a loaded gun into a backyard Saturday night, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports - adding a judge today reduced bail to $5,000.

The boy, not named because of his age, was arraigned on charges of unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition and unlawfully carrying a loaded firearm, the DA's office says.

According to the DA's office, the boy and some pals were walking down Forest Street, in view of officers in an unmarked car:

The kids were walking, the defendant tossed the gun, and they passed the unmarked car all on Forest, then bolted toward Mt. Pleasant when one of the cops went over to the yard.

The Herald talks to his lawyer, who says he's an honors student and victim of mistaken identity.