Judge sets $1 million bond for teen charged with attempted murder of Cornelius officer

CORNELIUS — A judge has set a $1 million bond for the teen who police said shot a Cornelius officer Saturday.

Cornelius officials gathered Monday morning to update the community on the condition of Lt. James Quattlebaum, who was shot by Greyson Ferrell, 16.

Cornelius Mayor Chuck Travis said he had just come from Lt. Quattlebaum's room at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte and told Channel 9 that the officer was "feeling great."

He was released from the hospital early Monday afternoon.

RAW VIDEO: Cornelius Mayor Travis speaks after visiting wounded officer

"He is in great shape and great spirits," Travis said, adding that Quattlebaum and the entire department were grateful for the community's support.

Quattlebaum was shot late Saturday morning responding to a domestic call at 19422 Coachman's Trace just off Washam Potts. Ferrell is facing multiple charges including attempted first-degree murder.

The chief said investigators believe Ferrell intended to ambush Quattlebaum.

RAW VIDEO: Cornelius police chief gives update on wounded officer

According to police, Ferrell has a history of violence and drugs and the teen's mother told police in December her son broke her ribs and that she wonders if her son was going to kill her.

The Cornelius Cares fund is directing donations to Quattlebaum and a discretionary account for Chief Bence Hoyle.

Community donations for the Cornelius Cares account are being accepted at Acropolis Cafe, Aquesta, Bank of the Ozarks, Brooklyn South, Community One and Cook House.

Teen who shot police officer posted disturbing comments online

A series of disturbing and profane comments on Ferrell's Facebook page in the last month make it look more like an ambush. He cursed and even alluded to killing police. He'd posted the video of the officer in North Charleston shooting an unarmed man and then posted:

"I'd rather hear every day about an unarmed cop getting shot by a criminal than armed cops killing innocent people."
         
No one answered the door at Ferrell's home again Monday, but police records suggest that his own mother was afraid of him.

Officers were called to their home twice before Saturday and in December, his mother told police he had broken her ribs a few weeks earlier and that she lies awake at night wondering if he might kill her.

Residents heard 4 gunshots during shooting that injured Cornelius officer

Residents said four gunshots rattled their usually quiet Cornelius neighborhood Saturday morning.

STORY: Teen wearing bulletproof vest shoots Cornelius officer in abdomen, police say

Police said 16-year-old Greyson Ferrell was holding a gun and wearing a bulletproof vest when officers approached his home on Coachman's Trace.

Channel 9 spoke to a former classmate of Ferrell Sunday. He said they attended Hough High School together last year.

We will not identify the classmate, but he lives in the same neighborhood as Ferrell.

"I saw the house that it happened at, and I knew he lived there and I was wondering if he had anything to do with it," he said.

PHOTOS: Officials say police officer shot in Cornelius

Channel 9 was there as police walked Ferrell out of the police station in handcuffs.

Police said when officers approached the home around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Ferrell started shooting.

Cornelius Police Lt. James Quattlebaum was hit once in the stomach and transported to Carolinas Medical Center. He is expected to make a full recovery.

Another officer returned fire. They believe Ferrell was hit, but he was not seriously hurt.

Ferrell's classmate says it is chilling to hear he was wearing a bulletproof vest.

VIDEO: Neighbor talks about shooting in Cornelius

Another neighbor told Channel 9 a very loud and intense argument was going on at the house next door, and that Ferrell was trying to fight his sister.

Channel 9 went by Ferrell's home Sunday but no one answered the door. 

Ferrell is charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury, attempted first-degree murder, possession of marijuana and additional charges.

Cornelius police will hold a news conference Monday at 11 a.m. to discuss their investigation.

Cornelius mayor said Saturday was first time officer shot

The mayor of Cornelius told Channel 9 this was the first time a police officer from the department had been shot.

Mayor Chuck Travis said he has been in touch with Lt.  James Quattlebaum's family and reports that he is expected to return home soon.

Travis credited officers on the scene with saving Quattlebaum's life after police said a 16-year-old fired multiple shots at the scene of a domestic disturbance Saturday.

"I just think it speaks well of our community as to how we all come together in a moment of crisis and thank God that the vest saved his life and that he'll continue to recover," Travis said in phone interview.

Travis said after Quattlebaum was shot once in the stomach, his bulletproof vest provided protection. Officers administered first aid immediately.

Police said the alleged shooter, Greyson Ferrell, wore a bulletproof vest.

"It leads you to believe that obviously he was expecting something of this nature to go down," the mayor said.

Witnesses told Channel 9 Ferrell was fighting with family when someone called 911. When officers arrived they said Ferrell started shooting at them.

One officer fired back but Ferrell was not seriously injured. Lt. Quattlebaum is expected to recover, but the mayor is concerned about the shooting's impact on morale.

"Given the situation of how we're dealing with the image of police departments and some of the things going on around the country, it's just a very difficult situation right now," Travis said.

WSOC