Pablo Castaneda, 17, Tries to Grab Deputy’s Gun After Bond Hearing
By: Michelle Homer, Matt Dougherty, Deevon Rahming
Published: 3:39 PM CDT September 27, 2024
Updated: 10:05 PM CDT September 27, 2024
There was a dramatic turn of events at the criminal courthouse in downtown Houston on Friday morning. Pablo Castaneda, a 17-year-old HISD student facing charges for a school stabbing, attempted to grab a bailiff’s gun after his bond hearing, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Last week, Castaneda was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon following an incident at Sterling High School, where he allegedly stabbed a 16-year-old during a fight.
During the hearing, the judge granted a request by Castaneda’s defense attorney to lower his 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 commented.
After the bond adjustment, Castaneda was moved to a holding area where he managed to grab the deputy’s gun while the deputy was securing his leg irons. Two other deputies swiftly intervened and subdued Castaneda, preventing any harm from occurring.
As a precautionary measure, the judge was quickly escorted out of the courtroom following the incident.
Following the attempted weapon grab, Castaneda’s bond was increased to $250,000. He is now facing additional charges for disarming a police officer in addition to the initial assault charge.
If convicted, Castaneda could face a sentence ranging from two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.
Despite the tense situation, Assistant District Attorney O’Neal expressed gratitude for the quick response of the deputies, stating, “Officers did a wonderful job.”
This unexpected turn of events underscores the importance of maintaining courtroom security and ensuring the safety of all individuals involved in legal proceedings.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.