U.S.

Shooter's Dad To Victims: Sorry

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

March 13, 2001 / 7:04 AM EST / CBS

In an emotionally wrenching appearance, Jeff Williams, the father of accused Santana High School shooter Charles Andrew "Andy" Williams expressed his grief.

"I would like to express my sympathy and sorrow to all those affected by the events of March 5th, 2001. Mere words cannot express the remorse I feel for the families. My heart goes out to the people involved."

Williams said he does not understand what motivated his son—why the 15-year-old allegedly killed two fellow students and wounded 13 other people last week.

"I am a single father and have raised Andy since birth," Williams read from a statement. "I am confused by what happened at Santana High School and I am scared for my son. I will do whatever is necessary to continue to support my son and to find the answers we all are desperately in need of."

And then one by one, CBS News Correspondent Jerry Bowen reports, young Andy Williams' larger family was introduced in an effort to show the jailed teenager came from an all American family now coping with a uniquely American tragedy. Grandparents, uncles and aunts, ranging from stay-at-home moms to seminary students. They also grieve for the wounded and the dead:

"We know there's no way anyone can every repay for the loss that they've suffered," said Williams' aunt, Cindy Webber.

Webber said the family supports the teenager who could be sentenced to 500 years in prison if tried and convicted as an adult.

"We hope from this catastrophe our society can find greater understanding and discover the root problem that drives children to commit these desperate acts."

Public defender Randy Mize said there still was no explanation of the boy's motive.

He said the defense team plans to challenge the California law, approved by voters in 2000, which automatically puts the case in adult court.

Mize said that if he were to be convicted as a juvenile, Andy would face at least 10 years in a youth facility. Given the juvenile system's focus on rehabilitation, Mize said it would offer "the best justice in this case."

Andy could face life in prison if convicted as an adult.

He is being held in juvenile custody. His arraignment is set for March 26.