CORNELIUS, N.C. — A teen who admitted to shooting a Cornelius police officer apologized in court Monday morning.
Greyson Ferrell was sentenced to more than seven years in prison.
Ferrell, who was 16 at the time, shot James Quattlebaum as the officer was responding to a call at Ferrell’s home two years ago.
Quattlebaum was responding to a domestic disturbance inside the teenager's home.
The officer's bulletproof vest saved his life and he addressed the teen Monday in court.
"We're never gonna forget it, but I want you to know, Greyson, I forgive you," Quattlebaum said.
Even though the bulletproof vest saved Quattlebaum, it took him two months to recover from his injuries. Ferrell apologized for the officer's pain.
"I would like to begin with offering my apologies to the court and my most sincere apologies not only to Officer Quattlebaum, but to his family," Ferrell said.
Ferrell's attorneys said that he began to experiment with drugs when he was 11 or 12 years old and became an addict. They said he recognizes the error of his ways and is beating back his addiction.
"I want them to know I work hard every day to be a better and different man," Ferrell said.
"I'm going to go home and I'm going to take him at this word and we're going to draw this to a conclusion," Quattlebaum said.
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