MATTHEWS, N.C. -- The student charged with the deadly shooting of his classmate inside Butler High School made his first court appearance Tuesday.

Police say 16-year-old Jatwon Cuffie shot 16-year-old Bobby McKeithen with a stolen gun from Gaston County after a fight in the school's hallway.

After reading him his charge and appointing him a public defender, the judge denied bond for Cuffie. Despite efforts by his attorney for bail, the 16 year old will sit in jail at least until he has a bond hearing November 7.

Cuffie's family were all in the courtroom for that first appearance. He was quiet the entire hearing, only having a short conference with his public defender.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools officials and the Matthews Police Department say Cuffie got into a fight with McKeithen just before the first bell Monday morning. Moments later, there was a shooting in the hallway with many of students standing around.

CMS Superintendent Clayton Wilcox says initial reports suggest this all stemmed from bullying. In a conference on Tuesday, McKeithen's family denied that Bobby was a bully, saying he had a "heart of gold."

Cuffie's attorney told the judge this was not a random incident, his client has no prior convictions and is not a flight risk.

“Considering that this is not going to be capital, considering all of his connections are in this community, considering that I argue to you that there is not a lingering danger to the community, his record, and these other matters, I ask you to set a numerical figure. I'm asking for $10,000 secured with electronic monitoring to stay in the home of his mother,” public defender Joel Adelman said.

Police officers have not confirmed the bullying claim. 

 

     

 

 

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