Judge denies lower bond for man accused in 5-year-old’s death

LEE COUNTY, Fla.- A man accused of gunning down a 5-year-old boy will stay in jail.

Terrance Irons is one of the men accused of killing Andrew Faust Jr. in a drive-by shooting in 2014.

Monday afternoon, a judge denied a request to lower his bond.

Toyetta Simpson, the mother of 5-year-old killed, appeared in court. She looked relieved, after a judge kept Irons’ bond at $1 million.

Irons is charged with shooting into the home where Faust lived. The defense says Irons deserved a lower bond because the state’s case has changed.

Defense attorneys say a witness that came forward to identify Irons as a suspect now refuses to cooperate with authorities.

Simpson told the judge it was in everyone’s best interest to keep Irons behind bars, saying she is scared for her life.

“My strong opinion is, my son doesn’t get a chance to get out and get his  stuff together. So I feel like, they shouldn’t have that chance either until they are determined guilty, or not guilty,” said Simpson. “I’m terrified standing here today, but I knew I had to come speak for my son.”

The judge denied Irons’ request, keeping his bail at $1 million. Another man charged in the case remains behind bars.