A Utah police chief is standing by an officer who pulled a gun on a 10-year-old boy last week while searching for armed suspects in the area.

Woods Cross Police Chief Chad Soffe said during a news conference Monday that he believes the officer, who has not been publicly identified, acted in accordance with the departments protocol and training.

DJ Hrubes, who is black, had been playing in his grandmothers front lawn Thursday when a white police officer approached him, drew his weapon and ordered the boy to get on the ground, DJs mother, Jerri Hrubes, alleged at a press conference last week.

Officials said the officer had been searching the area at the time for armed suspects described as black males. Jerri, who is white, said the officer got in his car and drove away once she came outside and confronted him.

DJ is developmentally disabled and visually impaired, Jerri said, and had not been holding any objects when the officer confronted him. She claimed the incident was racially motivated and has accused the officer of acting with clear prejudice.