Accused school bus shooter appears in court

Edgar Robles denied bond

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The accused school bus shooter made his first appearance before a Duval County judge as an adult.

Edgar Robles, 16 was denied bond on two counts of attempted murder. He was granted $250,000 bond for shooting a deadly missile.

Recommended Videos



Robles was arrested last week during a traffic stop in Liberty County, Georgia -- about 30 miles south of Savannah. Authorities said he was treated for a self-inflicted gunshot wound, then locked up in a juvenile facility in Georgia until Thursday, when he was returned to Jacksonville to face the charges.

Robles appeared before a juvenile judge Friday morning and was ordered held without bond. Since State Attorney Angela Corey made the determination Robles will be tried an adult because some crimes are so egregious.

"In the juvenile justice system, as I've said many times, the maximum risk programs can only hold a juvenile 18 to 36 months," Corey said. "And crimes like this are not suitable for that type of juvenile sentencing. We need more discretion; we need longer sentences in cases like this."

Tried an adult, Robles would face a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted.

Robles' mother was in court Friday, but declined to talk about her son. The family attorney said she's a law-abiding, God-fearing mother who is mortified that her son's been charged with a heinous crime.

"It's unfortunate. He is 16 years old. He doesn't understand the consequences the way everybody else does," attorney Robert Davis said. "When you're an adult, you've been around the block or seen the world. He hasn't. He doesn't. He's a young child."

Prosecutors said more charges could be filed against Robles since there were 30 children on the bus when the shots were fired.

Corey said that just because Robles hit only two students doesn't make the others any less a victim. She said her office looks at the actions of the shooter, not necessarily the results.

"There is nothing more egregious. It's not like you don't know who is on a school bus," Corey said.