The Simmons boys, ages 7, 9, and 10, were walking home from school Friday afternoon in Warren when they noticed a police cruiser nearby.
The boys didn't pay much attention to the cop car, but the officer driving noticed them and called 911 dispatch.
"(Breaking and entering) in progress, three black males down Atlantic Street," the officer told dispatch.
Moments after spotting the cruiser, the boys, who were in the backyard of their Sarkies Drive home, said the cop came up to them.
"He walked up with his gun and ordered us down on the ground in the mud," said 10-year-old Tony Simmons.
The boys said the cop asked them what was in 9-year-old Stephen's backpack. When the boy replied he had just school papers, the cop went through it and then tossed it on the ground, the boys said.
During an interview at their home Monday morning, the boys said they had no idea why they were held at gunpoint.
"Like I just wanted someone to come help us," said 7-year-old David. "I was really scared. I didn't know what the cop was going to do to us."
His brother, Stephen, agreed.
"I was scared, and I was just wondering when my dad was going to come," Stephen said.
When the boys' father got outside, the officer told him the boys were stopped because there had been several burglaries in the area.
"We are the only black family in the area," said Carolyn Simmons, the boys' mother. "There are other children here and for some reason it was my family that was picked on."
The boys' parents believe their children were victims of racial profiling. The parents have filed a formal complaint against the officer. The complaint will not be released until the officer is served. The officer is off and has not yet given his side to investigators.
The boys were not charged.
Sgt. Jeff Cole, of internal affairs, said the officer was on routine patrol and not responding to a call at the time of the incident. He hopes to have the investigation completed in the next few weeks.
