Cameron Michael Buckner

Cameron Buckner’s mother, grandmother and pastor were among the witnesses who testified Thursday in an effort to modify the bond set in Buckner’s assault case in relation to a shooting at Kereiakes Park.

Buckner, 18, of Bowling Green, is charged with first-degree assault and six counts of first-degree wanton endangerment based on allegations that he shot Mason South, 19, of Bowling Green in the head on Aug. 9 at the park following an argument that became physical.

Buckner is in Warren County Regional Jail under a $500,000 cash bond and his attorney, Matt Baker, sought a hearing to have the bond modified.

Baker called six witnesses at Thursday’s bond hearing and read aloud from two letters submitted by other people on Buckner’s behalf.

Warren Circuit Judge Steve Wilson said he would make a decision on Buckner’s bond after reviewing the discovery evidence amassed by the Warren County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and issue an order no later than Monday.

Buckner’s mother, Kendra Buckner, and his grandmother, Belinda Tatmon, testified about Buckner’s character and expressed confidence that he would abide by any conditions Wilson set if the bond were modified.

Vanessa Butts, a business teacher at South Warren High School, testified that she had gotten to know Buckner well through her support of the school’s football team, for which Buckner played.

“My baby boys knew they had to check in once a day, they had to come to my room so I could see them face to face,” Butts said. “You have students who are bullies and Cameron was the opposite of that.”

Butts said that she often gave Buckner the keys to her classroom when he asked for them, and she trusted him enough to put her reputation at stake if Buckner were able to post bond.

“When I saw him on television for the first time (after his arrest), I had tears in my eyes because he looked like a scared puppy,” Butts said.

Pastor Jamie Ward of Hillvue Heights Church, which Buckner and his mother have attended for about 10 years, testified that he visits Buckner each Thursday and that Buckner has always been “incredibly respectful” during their interactions.

Ward also said that the circumstances surrounding the case are “shocking” to him.

“The moment that brings us here today, that moment stands above and against every other moment in that kid’s life,” Ward said.

A number of family friends who have known Buckner for years testified Thursday that the crimes that Buckner is accused of committing are out of character for a young man who was a three-sport standout at South Warren and set to enroll at Kentucky Wesleyan College to play football.

“I am positive that Cameron would walk the straight and narrow,” said Terri Thomas, who hosted Buckner for weekly dinners with her nephews. “I believe you can sleep well at night if you reduce Cameron Buckner’s bond.”

Buckner was not present for the bond hearing.

Warren County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Kori Bumgarner did not question Baker’s witnesses or call witnesses of her own, but asked Wilson to review the discovery evidence before making a ruling.

Bumgarner said that evidence would include video recordings of interviews that Bowling Green Police Department detectives conducted with Buckner during which he gave an account of the night of the shooting.

According to court records, Buckner told police that after a physical fight between Buckner and South, Buckner retrieved a handgun from a backpack, fired what he called a warning shot and fired a shot striking South.

Bumgarner said the bullet that struck South was fired at “point blank” range and acquaintances of Buckner have claimed he showed off the handgun prior to the shooting. 

South’s family is opposed to any modification of the bond, Bumgarner said.

“By the grace of God alone is (South) able to be with his family right now,” Bumgarner said.

— Follow courts reporter Justin Story on Twitter @jstorydailynews or visit bgdailynews.com