Accused school bus shooter pleads not guilty

Edgar Robles, 16, charged with 2 counts of attempted murder

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The 16-year-old accused of shooting into a Duval County school bus and wounding two girls pleaded not guilty Wednesday. 

Edgar Robles is facing two counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied vehicle. He's still being held without bond, and his next court date was scheduled for July 14.

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Robles, who is being prosecuted as an adult, was arrested 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 he was returned to Jacksonville to face the charges.

State Attorney Angela Corey made the determination Robles will be tried an adult because the crimes he is accused of 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 as an adult, Robles would face a minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted.

Robles' family attorney said Robles' mother is a law-abiding, God-fearing mother who is mortified that her son has 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.