Ages 9 and 10: Brothers Allegedly Kidnapped at Gunpoint in Nebraska, Forced Into Revenge Plot

OMAHA, Nebraska — Two young brothers are recovering from a terrifying ordeal after police say they were abducted at gunpoint while walking to a neighborhood convenience store and forced into an alleged revenge plot by two armed strangers.

Authorities said Sky, 9, and Sevyn, 10, were walking along a familiar route near their home on June 20 when two men allegedly forced them into a vehicle at gunpoint.

According to investigators, the suspects—identified as 19-year-old Juantez Ruffin and 18-year-old James Barnes—were armed with an AR-15-style rifle and other weapons when they allegedly kidnapped the boys.

Prosecutors said the suspects told the children that someone had “snitched” on a friend and that the person would “pay with blood.” Police allege the brothers were instructed to knock on the person’s door, ask to use a phone, take the phone, and run as part of the suspects’ alleged revenge plan.

Before that could happen, officers stopped the vehicle after receiving a report from a driver who believed the suspects’ vehicle was following him. Police safely recovered the boys and returned them to their family.

Although Sky and Sevyn were not physically injured, their mother, Zonetta Amerson, said the emotional trauma has dramatically changed their lives.

“I was scared I was not going back home,” 9-year-old Sky said.

His younger brother, Sevyn, said he no longer feels safe leaving the house.

“I can’t go to the store no more,” he said. “I’m scared it’s going to happen again.”

Amerson said the experience has left her sons fearful of going outside alone and worries the trauma will stay with them for years.

“It’s just real traumatizing,” she said. “They’re young, and they’re going to have to think about that when they get older for the rest of their life.”

She also had a message for the suspects.

“Now y’all sitting in jail, and y’all going to be there for a very, very long time,” Amerson said. “And I’m going to make sure, because I’ll be at every court day.”

Police said neither suspect knew the boys or their family before the alleged kidnapping.

Ruffin and Barnes have each been charged with kidnapping and felony child abuse. Both are being held on $10 million bond as the investigation continues.