The 19-year-old Parkrose High School student who allegedly brought a loaded shotgun into a classroom earlier this month pleaded not guilty to a four count indictment Wednesday in Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Angel Granados-Diaz briefly appeared in court wearing blue jail scrubs and talked with his attorney, Adam Thayne.
"I understand that the community has a lot of questions about what happened at Parkrose, and rightfully so," Thayne told reporters after court. "It is fair to say that some depression and mental health issues played a role in this incident."
A court document from Portland Police notes the May 17 incident was a suicide attempt with a firearm.
"This is someone who is 19 years old," Thayne said. "I can tell you he's scared of where he's at, scared about what's going to happen in the future."
Thayne said there's an investigation into the incident, specifically whether Granados-Diaz fired the shotgun.
Just before noon on May 17, Granados-Diaz was confronted and then disarmed by Parkrose High School football coach Keanon Lowe, a former football star for the University of Oregon. Many have called Lowe's actions heroic.
"I think that is absolutely justified," Thayne said. "He is a hero. Things that I heard from my client confirm the things that have been said. Mr. Lowe's actions certainly are praiseworthy and rightfully so."
Granados-Diaz's is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.
