A Dallas County judge on Monday upheld the $3.1 million bond for Tracy Haynes Jr., the 17-year-old accused of carrying out a mass shooting at Wilmer-Hutchins High School last week.
The decision came after an emotional bond hearing where both the defense and prosecution presented starkly contrasting narratives about the events leading up to the shooting.
Haynes faces six counts of aggravated assault in a mass shooting, with bond amounts set at $500,000 for five counts and $600,000 for one count. The charges stem from an incident in which Haynes allegedly entered the school through a side door, opened fire in a hallway, and injured four students. A fifth individual was treated for anxiety-related symptoms following the attack.
During the hearing, Haynes' defense argued that he acted out of fear, claiming he had been threatened by members of a gang known as 5K. His aunt, Cassandra Griffin, testified that Haynes had expressed concerns about his safety on the day of the shooting, stating, "He told me, 'They're going to kill me.'" Griffin also revealed that the family had received threats from the gang.
Another witness, LaCrisha Davis, a cousin of Haynes' late mother, testified that Haynes had been bullied by gang members at his previous school, Roosevelt High School, and that the threats continued after his transfer to Wilmer-Hutchins. Davis described Haynes as a non-violent individual and criticized school staff for failing to intervene in the ongoing harassment.
Prosecutors painted a different picture, arguing that the shooting was premeditated and that Haynes posed a significant flight risk. They cited surveillance footage showing Haynes entering the school, walking through the hallway, and firing at students. The prosecution also highlighted Haynes' eight-hour evasion of authorities following the shooting as evidence of his intent to flee.
Prosecutors said that Haynes allegedly attempted to shoot one student at point-blank range, but the gun jammed. They also referenced Haynes' prior juvenile record, which includes an assault charge and a family violence incident involving the same firearm used in the school shooting.
After nearly an hour of testimony and arguments, the judge ruled to maintain the bond at $3.1 million, citing the severity of the charges and the potential risk to public safety. The decision means Haynes will remain in custody at the Dallas County Jail, where he is reportedly being held in the facility's medical section due to a health issue.
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