Thomas Barfield is charged with possession of a prohibited weapon. When he went before a judge, Barfield was asked if he had his own attorney or would need a one, to which he replied, "I'm hoping that we will hire our own, but at this point, I'm requesting a court-appointed attorney."
The judge set his bond at $20,000.
Barfield was in court by himself, without his parents.
Nearly 3,600 students were evacuated from Seven Lakes at around 10am yesterday as a precaution after the gun, called a 'zip gun' by Katy ISD officials, was found inside a backpack.
The Houston Police Department bomb squad was called out and made a full sweep of the school. The FBI also sent special agents to assist HPD, Katy PD, Katy ISD police and the Harris County Sheriff's Office in the investigation.
Barfield was taken into custody for questioning and later charged.
We spoke at length to Barfield's mother over the phone.
"I was scared when I heard about the threat, just like every other parent," she said. "I understand everyone's fear based on Columbine, but that's not Tommy. He's not the Columbine kid, not the disturbed child. He just loves guns, they are his hobby. "
Some of his classmates agree.
"He didn't really seem like he's the kinda guy that would bring a bomb to school to me. I don't think he tried to hurt anyone because he really didn't do anything," senior Jason Tucker said.
The campus was back open on Tuesday and students returned. Quizzes and tests that had been scheduled for Tuesday were postponed.
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