Court hearing for teen reveals details about shooting of Cornelius officer

Tuesday was an emotional day in court as the family of a teenager charged with attempted murder showed up at his bond hearing.

Greyson Ferrell,16, is accused of shooting a Cornelius police officer Saturday.

The teen is charged with attempted first-degree murder, felony assault with a deadly weapon on a government official and felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury. Ferrell is also facing misdemeanor charges of possession of a handgun by a minor, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana.

At least four of Ferrell’s relatives were in court. His mother was visibly shaken, and his father tried to comfort her. The teen’s sister was also in court with her husband.

According to the teen’s temporary attorney, Greyson Ferrell was getting ready to go to the prom Saturday and got into a heated argument with his brother-in-law and police were called.

Mecklenburg prosecutor Bruce Lillie said that when officers arrived, Ferrell was in a bedroom and then came down the stairs armed with a shotgun and wearing a bullet-proof vest.

Lillie said Ferrell fired his weapon and shot Lt. James Quattlebaum.

Lillie asked for a $2 million bond, saying the attack on a police officer was brazen and deliberate. Lillie said he believes the teen is a danger to himself and to others.

Lillie also said that while Ferrell was in custody he showed no remorse, even singing “I shot the sheriff.”

Ferrell’s attorney argued that the teen’s bond is not consistent with other cases, and also noted that Ferrell was not out hunting for and looking to shoot police officers.

WBTV, the Observer’s news partner, also learned that the teen’s mother, Theresa Ferrell, purchased the bullet-proof vest for her son, and that he used it to dress up for Halloween as a character from the “Call of Duty” video game.

The judge set bond at $1 million, saying he was concerned about who the teen would stay with since he may be a danger to his family. If the teen does post bond, he will have to wear an ankle monitor.

At 11:36 a.m. Saturday, Quattlebaum and other officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at a home in the 19400 block of Coachman’s Trace Drive near Washam-Potts Road in north Mecklenburg County.

After being shot, Quattlebaum was rushed to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Quattlebaum, who has been with the Cornelius Police Department since April 2004, was released from the hospital on Monday.

This story was originally published May 5, 2015 at 5:02 PM with the headline "Court hearing for teen reveals details about shooting of Cornelius officer."