Kids' lemonade stand robbed by 2 thieves with gun in South Boston: "I'm pretty disgusted with it. They're young children."

Boston Police are looking for two robbers armed with a gun who held up a children's lemonade stand in South Boston. The kids were not hurt but they were shaken up.

It happened around 4:40 p.m. Wednesday on West Ninth Street. Dave Byrne said his 11-year-old daughter and 12-year-old son were selling lemonade when two kids asked to buy some, but then said they didn't have any money. Byrne said the two left and when they came back, one flashed a black gun in his waistband.

"Which my kids immediately just put their hands up and said 'take whatever you want.' So, I'm proud of my kids for that and I'm proud of them for basically protecting each other, but also being smart in that bad situation," Byrne told CBS News Boston. 

He said the two thieves took the cash box and ran off. It's not clear how much money was inside. The box was later found empty.

Boston Police released surveillance video and photos of the two suspects Thursday afternoon, hoping to generate leads in the investigation.

"I'm pretty disgusted with it. They're young children. They're 11 and 12 years old. It was in the middle of broad daylight," Byrne said. "Definitely a little disturbed, definitely a little upset about everything. They're sad. They don't think something like this should ever happen."

"When a horrific, senseless, and violent incident takes place like this,  it can be a traumatic experience for a neighborhood family," said Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn in a statement. "As neighbors, we must all understand that an injustice done to one of us is an injustice done to all of us."

Neighbors were also disturbed by the robbery.

"It's awful and scary and definitely something you don't want to come home to after a night. It's disappointing. I didn't expect it on our street," said resident Suzanna Ruotolo. 

The children set up the lemonade stand to earn a few dollars and learn the value of hard work. But now they're learning a frightening lesson in crime they should never have to experience. 

"It's outrageous that in such a good community that we can have something like this happen. I think we need some more presence around in order for this never to happen again," Byrne said. 

"No arrests at this time and active investigation," a Boston Police spokesman said in a statement.

Flynn said that the stand will reopen on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

"South Boston neighbors are helping these kids reopen their lemonade stand. Let's show them how much love and support the Southie community has for them. It is also our understanding that 50% of proceeds will be donated to a local organization working to prevent gun violence," Flynn said in a statement. 

Anyone with information is urged to call police at (617) 343-4742.