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Watch: New Jersey Cops Holding Shotguns Accidentally Chased 10-Year-Old Boy

Details behind the terrifying mistaken identity.

Neighbors had to step in and assist a 10-year-old boy who was being chased by gun-wielding New Jersey police officers.

Legend Preston was chased through an alley by police officials, who mistook the 10-year-old for a robbery suspect. Preston recalled playing basketball when his ball rolled into the street and he chased after it. Suddenly, Newark officers who were engaged in a chase began to run after him. Preston thought at first that the officers were chasing him for running into the streets.

"I ran because they thought that I rolled the ball into the street on purpose and they were just holding shotguns at me trying to shoot me," Preston said.

When Preston’s neighbors saw the incident, they created a human shield between the police and the fifth grader.

“This is a child!” They yelled as police continued their pursuit. Officers told the neighbors that the boy, who happens to be large for his age, matched the description of their suspect.

After her son returned safely home and told his story, Legend’s mom, Patisha Preston, took to Facebook to detail her account.

“They chased down my 10-year-old son with loaded shotguns ready to shoot because they said he matched the description of the over 6 foot tall man, dark skin with long locs...which my son is none of,” Preston wrote on her Facebook page. “They had pictures of the perp whom was in eyesight running down the next block!!! Yet they broke off from chasing the perp to chasing my child.”

Eventually, officers caught 20-year-old Casey Joseph Robinson, who was their original suspect. Robinson now faces a robbery charge. 

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