Boy, 15, arraigned as adult in shooting

bmickle@flintjournal.com • 810.766.6383

FLINT - A 15-year-old Mundy Township boy was arraigned as an adult Friday for allegedly trying to shoot a Genesee County sheriff's deputy.

Spencer Javor-Pendergast is charged with assault with intent to murder Deputy Matthew McKay in the Goodrich area last week.

He also is charged with concealing or disposal of a stolen firearm, larceny of a firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm into an occupied building, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm during a commission of a felony, resisting and obstructing police and fleeing and eluding.

Sheriff's Sgt. Tom Pyles told a judge Friday that Javor-Pendergast had an extensive juvenile history.

His voice breaking at times, the boy told a judge he understood his rights. His grandparents were with him in court.

He is being held in a juvenile detention center on $500,000 cash bond on the assault with intent to murder charge.

A preliminary examination is set for March 20.

A second 15-year-old Grand Blanc-area boy is charged in family court with receiving and concealing a stolen firearm, assault with a dangerous weapon, discharge of a firearm at an occupied building, carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.

The pair allegedly went on a March 2 crime spree through Goodrich and Atlas Township, shooting out the window of a Goodrich party store.

When McKay went to the party store to investigate, police allege more shots rang out toward the deputy.

Police allege the pair also planned to shoot workers at an Atlas Township party store.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said he has asked the family court to designate the second boy as an adult.

That would allow the judge to hand down adult penalties if the teenage is convicted.

Under court rules, the second boy's case remains in family court because he is not charged with assault with intent to murder.

"I do not take this action lightly," said Leyton.

This is the third time in a month that Leyton has charged a 15-year-old as an adult.

"Youth violence is a serious concern to me and the community," Leyton said in a faxed statement.

The father of one of the boys told The Flint Journal this week that the boys wanted to steal a car and visit rappers the Insane Clown Posse in Detroit.

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