According to the accused shooter’s family, he was “trying to protect himself” and it was not his fault.

Other pictures of Simpkins in his Dodge Charger with what looks to be a gun protruding from the car door have gone viral on social media. The gun’s ownership data were not immediately made public by investigators.

Simpkins’s mother sent an open letter in a Go Fund Me page, requesting $25,000 even though the teen resides with his grandma. Later, the account was deleted.

It’s unclear why Simpkins was promptly released on bond and why he was charged with aggravated assault rather than attempted murder.

It should come as no surprise that his victims are unhappy with the judge’s ruling and will keep fighting for justice.