In a troubling incident, a Black mother and her 8-year-old son were stopped at gunpoint by Sacramento police officers who mistook the child for a wanted teen suspect. The incident has sparked outrage and demands for an apology.

Shanice Stewart, who is nine months pregnant, was driving her son, Brandon, to football practice on October 17th around 5 p.m. when they were pulled over by police officers. According to KCRA, more officers soon surrounded the vehicle while a helicopter hovered overhead. However, authorities were not after Stewart but her young son, who was mistakenly believed to fit the description of the suspect.

Expressing disbelief, Stewart told KCRA, "Really? My 8-year-old baby fits the description of the suspect you're looking for? It just didn't make sense to me."

The incident unfolded as Stewart shared her account on Facebook. She described how police ordered her to toss her keys out of the window and slowly exit the car with her hands in the air. During this time, Brandon, who had also gotten out of the car, pleaded and screamed for the police not to take his mother away. He repeatedly tried to inform them, "My mom was just taking me to practice."

After a period of distress, police finally realized their mistake and ended the ordeal. According to the Sacramento Police Department's statement, the officers mistook the third-grader for a juvenile suspect wanted for two felony warrants, one of which was for gun possession.

Stewart expressed her shock to the police, stating on Facebook, "You guys wasted tax dollars using a chopper and multiple officers to close the freeway down for me and my 8-year-old son. I'm unsure what to do but I was scared for my baby."

Acknowledging the blunder, the Sacramento Police issued an apology in a statement to NBC News, affirming, "We must acknowledge that a case of mistaken identity occurred. Our officers provided an explanation and an apology to the mother and her son." The department added that they have been in contact with Stewart since the incident and recognize the impact such interactions can have on community members.

However, the incident has had a lasting impact on Brandon, according to his mother, who spoke with ABC News. Stewart revealed that her son is now apprehensive about driving on the highway and is hyper-aware of police presence. Meanwhile, Stewart herself expressed her fear of potential harm to her and her son, stating, "It was definitely heartbreaking. It's something that is a life-changer."

This incident comes in the wake of the shooting of Stephon Clark, a Black man who was allegedly killed by Sacramento Police in his grandmother's backyard in March 2018. The shooting led to widespread protests and further outrage when federal authorities declined to pursue charges against the officers involved.

As the community reacts to yet another incident involving mistaken identity and potentially dangerous police encounters, demands for accountability and changes in police practices are intensifying. The repercussions of these incidents extend far beyond individual lives, highlighting the importance of addressing systemic issues and working towards ensuring the safety and well-being of all community members.