A Hennepin County district judge on Wednesday refused to reduce bail for the teen accused of killing 5-year-old Nizzel George, citing the volatility of the highly charged case.
Moments later, members of the slain boy's family scuffled with the suspect's supporters on a busy downtown street, prompting officers to intervene outside the Hennepin County Government Center.
"I do believe there's been a high degree of tension, not only with the case but with the court appearances," District Judge Daniel Mabley said, denying a motion by 17-year-old Stephon Shannon's attorney to reduce his bail from $2 million to $50,000 or $100,000 with strict conditions.
If Shannon were released, Mabley said, "Not only the defendant himself may be in danger, but others may be as well."
Shannon is accused of fatally shooting Nizzel in the back June 26 as the boy slept on his grandmother's couch in north Minneapolis.
He was indicted as an adult earlier this month on first-degree murder charges in the boy's death and has remained jailed since his July 2 arrest.
After the hearing ended, relatives of Nizzel hurled insults at Shannon's family at 7th Street and 4th Avenue S. as victim advocates pleaded with them to calm down and a dozen deputies and security guards rushed to prevent a fight.
"I'm gonna end up dead too," wailed Nizzel's mother, Christina Banks, as Shannon's family sped away jeering. "It's a sad story, and it's never gonna end."
