SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — A 16-year-old boy accused of shooting a Sanford police officer is still locked up Tuesday, but not in jail. He's in juvenile detention. The teen is charged with attempted murder on a law enforcement officer.
TEEN IN CUSTODY: Watch Raw Video | See Images CRIME REPORTS: Map Crimes In Your Neighborhood
Henry Baker met with a judge late Tuesday afternoon. The judge ordered he stay in juvenile detention at least through his next court date.
"Why did you shoot the officer?" WFTV reporter Daralene Jones asked Baker shortly after he was taken into custody early Monday morning.
Henry Perp Walk 13 Ss Henry Perp Walk 13 Ss TEEN IN CUSTODY: Raw Video | Images Baker didn't respond as investigators walked him out of police headquarters (video | images). The alleged shooter of 27-year-old Officer Brandon Worrall was found hiding out at his sisters' apartment complex. Fifteen law enforcement officers from across Central Florida stormed the apartment to make the arrest.
The young man already has a felony history that includes robbery. Guards at the Juvenile Justice Center said they've seen his mother there for his hearings often.
Baker towered over his public defender and even his guards in court Tuesday afternoon. Though still a juvenile, he looks like an adult and has the rap sheet of one, too. It now includes shooting Officer Brandon Worrall late Thursday night, a charge his mother angrily questioned.
"First of all, he is innocent until proven guilty! Do you understand that?" Baker's mother said.
"But he's accused of doing it," WFTV reporter George Spencer said. "Did he shoot the cop?"
Investigators believe Baker shot Worrall twice Thursday night when the officer approached to cite him for trespassing at the Cedar Creek Apartments. Search dogs sniffed out the gun in nearby woods, but Baker was gone and Worrall was hospitalized.
"It is like a family. Our officers are like your sons and daughters. You do feel a connection," Sanford police Chief Brian Tooley said.
Police arrested Baker early Tuesday morning after four days of developing leads through confidential informants and Crimeline tips, many related to surveillance video. The video, police say, places Baker near the scene of the shooting ( watch video ).
After his arrest, WFTV was told Officer Worrall immediately picked Baker out of a line-up.
"He was placed in a photo line up and without hesitation before I could even open my mouth. He pointed to him and said, ‘This is the subject,'" Sanford investigator Rich Ayala said.
It's not clear yet what he was doing at the Cedar Creek apartment complex that night.
So far, it does not look like Baker's sisters will face any charges for allowing him to stay in their apartment.
WFTV was told Officer Worrall continues to recover and he may speak to media later in the week.
Previous Stories: June 7, 2010: Video Shows Person Of Interest In Police Shooting June 5, 2010: Sanford Officer Shot, Suspect Remains At Large June 5, 2010: Home Invasion Suspect May Be Responsible For Police Shooting
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