May 9. Greyson Auguste-Russell Ferrell, the 16-year-old Cornelius boy charged with attempted first-degree murder as well as other charges, has been released from  Mecklenburg County Jail on $1 million bond.

He was arrested a week ago at his mother’s home in the 19400 block of Coachman’s Trace after allegedly firing at Cornelius Police Lt. James Quattlebaum in the abdomen.

In court, Ferrell’s attorney said his gun went off when he fell down the stairs after being shot.

Officials credited the officer’s bullet-proof vest as well as the quick actions of two colleagues on the scene with helping save Quattlebaum’s life.

Officer Jeff Heinz returned fire after Quattlebaum was shot, and Officer Christine O’Neil packed Quattlebaum’s wound while administering first aid. If Heinz hadn’t returned fire, according to Chief Bence Hoyle, Quattlebaum might have been shot again.

Ferrell was first taken to the jail at the Cornelius Police Station, where he was seen and heard singing “I shot the Sheriff.”

Grey Ferrell’s Facebook page has been taken down. Cornelius Today captured the comments on the page, including this one from April 14: “We the people need to unarm the police! Id rather hear every day about an unarmed cop getting shot by a criminal then armed cops killing innocent people.”

This was the first time a Cornelius Police officer has been shot in the line of fire. Quattlebaum was released from CMC Main on Sunday and is expected to make a full recovery. Collection jars for a special collection for the officer as well as the Cornelius Police Department are out at a variety of banks and restaurants.