The case against a teenager accused of shooting at two Douglas County deputies and injuring one of them has been sent to juvenile court.
Tyler Pitzl was originally charged as an adult, facing two counts of 2nd degree attempted murder, two counts of use of a firearm to commit a felony, and one count of 2nd degree assault.
"I know I did it, now. I didn't know what I was doing then - I don't remember it. And it just makes me feel horrible,” Pitzl said outside the courtroom.
Pitzl also attacked his parents with a baseball bat at their home near 204th and Pacific after they confronted him about his drinking. He was wounded and spent several days in the hospital after being wounded by return fire from the deputies.
The decision to move the case to juvenile court didn't sit well with Douglas County Sheriff Tim Dunning. "One or both of my deputies could have been killed. One was, in fact, shot, and luckily, he didn't have life-threatening injuries", Dunning said.
Dunning told 6 News he’s not buying Pitzl's apology. "Yeah, ‘sorry’ doesn't get it. Somebody got bullets in them. They got shotgun shrapnel in their arm and their hand. ‘Sorry’ just doesn't get it,” he said. "Officers are being shot and killed every day."
Pitzl's attorney, James Martin Davis, says his client needs help. He added that through the juvenile court system, Pitzl will have better access to drug and alcohol specialists along with psychiatrists. "Doesn't mean that it's a free pass. He's still up there. He could go to Kearney,” Davis said.
Davis says his client is not a threat to the public and Pitzl's mom agrees. "I'm in no way worried or fearful of him. I just want his brain to get better,” Gail Pitz says.
Douglas County Attorney Don Kleine is also disappointed with Tuesday's ruling and is looking into a possible appeal.