A teenager who authorities say fired shots at a northern Illinois high school before he was shot by a school resource officer appeared in court Friday via video conference.
"Yes your honor," 19-year-old Matthew Milby said as a judge read the charges against him in Lee County Circuit Court.
An attorney for Milby entered a plea of not guilty.
"I do feel Matt needs the most excellent representation," said Thomas Murray. "Not to attack anything police have done - we command what they’ve done.. but Matt needs someone to defend him well."
Milby was charged with three counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, all class x felonies, in connection with Wednesday's shooting. Police say the 19-year-old showed up Wednesday at Dixon High School as seniors met for a graduation rehearsal and fired several shots inside the building.
Milby, who was wounded in an exchange of gunfire with the school resource officer, was transferred Thursday from a hospital to the Lee County Jail. He is being held in lieu of $2 million bond.
A motion to reduce that was bond was denied in court Friday as a judge agreed to a speedy trial.
Milby's mother was in court Friday where she thanked the Lee County Sheriff for "everything you do for our community."
Illinois State Police say Milby's mother in 2012 bought the weapon the teen used and investigators were working to determine how he obtained it. ulie Milby said her son was bullied and that she had no idea he had the gun.
Milby's attorney also said the teen's jaw was broken during an "altercation" off school campus recently. He said no charges were filed in the incident, however.
Milby's next court appearance was set for May 23rd.
