HOUSTON — There were some tense moments at the criminal courthouse in downtown Houston Friday morning. An HISD student accused in a school stabbing tried to grab a bailiff's gun after his bond hearing, the Harris County Sheriff's Office said.
Pablo Castaneda, 17, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon last week after HISD police said he stabbed a 16-year-old twice during a fight at Sterling High School.
We were in court Friday morning when a judge granted the defense attorney's request to lower Castaneda's bond from $100,000 to $50,000.
"The judge actually lowered his bond, gave him conditions and it seemed to be in his favor," Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey O'Neal told us.
Castaneda was then moved to a holding area. That's where, according to HCSO, the handcuffed teen grabbed the butt of the deputy's gun who was bent down to lock his leg irons. Two other deputies quickly wrestled Castaneda to the ground, HCSO said. No shots were fired and no one was hurt.
The judge was quickly removed from the courtroom as a precaution.
"Everyone was just unsure of what was going on," O'Neal said.
He's grateful for the deputies' quick response.
"Officers did a wonderful job," he said.
After the incident, Castaneda's bond was raised to $250,000.
HCSO said he will be charged with disarming a police officer on top of the assault charge.
If convicted, Castaneda faces anywhere from two to 20 years in prison and would have to pay a fine of up to $10,000.