HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The bond amount for the 17-year-old accused of firing at teens walking home from school with a pellet gun will remain at $4 million, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Jordan Constantine Balderas is charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. His bond was set during probable cause court last week -- $1 million per aggravated assault charge.
The incident happened on May 4, 5, and 8, while the victims -- 12, 14, 16 and 17 years old -- were walking home from school. Prosecutors say one of the victims underwent surgery.
Balderas appeared in court on Tuesday morning, where defense attorneys pushed for his bond to be lowered to an undisclosed amount.
The judge agreed with the state that it is not high given how serious an offensive it was,” said Prosecutor Chris Handley. “These are the types of bonds that we need on these cases to make sure we don’t have people like this getting out who have already shot multiple people doing more harm to our community.”
Prosecutors also stressed that the weapon used in the shooting was similar to a .22 Caliber, described as a “low-level AR-15.”
Balderas remains in Harris County Jail.
In court, the pellet gun used is identified as a Crosman Shockwave .22. The manufacture advertises it as an air rifle that shoots “up to 950 [feet per second] and delivers power and accuracy in a contemporary package.” Balderas is accused of using one with a built-in scope and sound suppression system.
“It would look like an almost Red Ryder BB gun but a Red Ryder BB gun on steroids,” Handley said.
Firearms instructor and the women’s director for Gun owners of America, Antonia Cover, said it isn’t fair comparing a rifle with the Crosman Shockwave.
“An air rifle is not the same as an AR-15 or even just a typical rifle that is used for, I would say again, in defense or in military even. Versus an air rifle which is used, at best, for small games: squirrels, small hunting,” Cover said. “It’s used for example if you’re going to be doing target shooting but for the most part it’s practice to be able to use those types of platforms like the rifle platforms later on.”