By Ryan Kushner

Staff writer

The only adult charged in an attempted armed robbery that resulted in the death of a Smithfield High School student stood before a judge this week for a bail hearing.

Justin St. Cyr, 18, who is charged with attempted robbery, use of a firearm and conspiracy to commit robbery, was granted a $25,000 bond by Circuit Court Judge Carl Eason Wednesday, Jan. 31, under the condition that home electronic monitoring be installed in St. Cyr’s parents’ house in Smithfield, where he will reside.

The decision followed an appeal from the commonwealth that St. Cyr should remain behind bars.{mprestriction ids=”1,2,3,4,5,6″}

St. Cyr’s charges stem from an incident that occurred Friday, Dec. 29, behind the Dollar General in Smithfield, that police allege was a drug deal gone bad. Dakota Gordon, 18, was hit in the abdomen by a bullet from a gun that was discharged at the scene, and died two days later in the hospital from complications after surgery, according to the Smithfield Police Department.

Another victim, Gavin St. Clair, 19, received minor injuries from an assault during the altercation.

Three juveniles have also been charged in the incident, including a 17-year-old charged with first degree murder.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Patrick Clark said at Wednesday’s hearing that St. Cyr had admitted to being present at the scene when the gun was discharged and that he had been “the muscle to help enforce the robbery,” serving as the get-away driver for the alleged attempted armed robbery.

Clark also said that the firearm used in the shooting came from the St. Cyr household in Smithfield.

“He is a danger to the community at this time,” said Clark of St. Cyr.

St. Cyr’s attorney, Shawn Cline, said that St. Cyr was not the one alleged to have fired the weapon, and that the deceased, Gordon, had been a “co-conspirator” in the attempted robbery along with St. Cyr.

Cline also called upon St. Cyr’s father, Robert, to testify. Robert is active duty Air Force and had been deployed overseas when the incident on Dec. 29 occurred, according to Cline.

Robert testified that he returned to deal with the situation and that he had removed all firearms from the house.

“His family is taking this very seriously,” said Cline.

Eason said that with his family ties, he didn’t believe St. Cyr posed any flight risk, and the added condition of home electronic monitoring was sufficient to not revoke bail.

St. Cyr is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in General District Court on March 15.

The attempted armed robbery that led to Gordon’s death was over an ounce of marijuana, which had a street value of about $300, according to Smithfield Deputy Chief Matthew Rogers.  {/mprestriction}