Overview of the Incident

On April 15, Haynes is alleged to have opened fire within the school hallways, injuring five individuals, including a teacher, during the incident. Surveillance footage from three different school security cameras reportedly captured the shooting, which showed Haynes entering through a side door and targeting students in the hallway. Notably, he is accused of shooting one student at point-blank range.

Details from the Bond Hearing

During a recent hearing, prosecution officials argued for maintaining the high bond, citing evidence they believe indicates the shooting was premeditated. Prosecutors stated that the firing of the weapon was specifically aimed at certain individuals, emphasizing that Haynes continued his gunfire until a malfunction prevented further shots: “The only reason the final victim is still alive is that Haynes’s .40-caliber handgun jammed,” they asserted.

“Do you know where Tracy got the weapon?” asked the state’s attorney during the hearings.

“No, ma’am,” replied LaCrisha Davis, Haynes’s aunt.

In the course of the hearing, it was suggested that the weapon used in the shooting had some connections to previous offenses, a claim that families associated with Haynes denied. Additionally, the court heard about his past legal troubles, including an assault at his prior school, which resulted in a juvenile court conviction.

Defense Arguments

The defense team proposed that Haynes acted out of fear for his life, claiming he was threatened by gang members linked to the 5K gang. Relatives testified that these threats persisted after he transferred schools, suggesting a motive for his actions. Haynes’s defense attorney, Temani Adams, declared:

“Mr. Haynes was not firing indiscriminately at other students. He specifically only fired shots at the young man that threatened him and his family.”

Haynes’s defense further highlighted that he suffers from a heart condition and is currently housed in the jail infirmary, which they argue adds to the complexity of his situation.

Bond Decision and Implications

After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Carter Thompson opted not to reduce Haynes’s bond, which currently stands at a total of $3.1 million. Previously, he faced charges including four counts of aggravated assault; however, the charges have since escalated to six counts due to the serious nature of the incident.