The North Forest ISD student accused of bringing a gun to school, firing five shots and shooting an innocent student spoke publicly for the first time Tuesday night.

Warren Lewis, 18, met with community leaders for about an hour.

The last time the public saw him, Lewis was in an orange jail jumpsuit inside a Harris County courtroom.

Police said Lewis and another student got into an argument last month. Prosecutors said Lewis pulled a gun from his backpack and fired five shots. One of the bullets hit an innocent 16-year-old bystander in the leg.

Earlier, Lewis told a judge he needed the gun for protection. He was charged with aggravated assault and unlawfully carrying a gun to school.

Lewis said he had been bullied and his repeated calls for help went unanswered. The school district said it had no indication that Lewis or his parents had every filed a report.

"Don't try to handle it yourself," said Lewis. He read from a prepared statement that said, "When you're facing something that you can't handle alone, like bullying, harassment and just people making threats, call out for help. Say something."

He did not mention the student he's accused of shooting. His attorney, Tanika Soloman said he legally cannot address the student. Lewis' mother apologized to the student and his family.

Soloman said his case will be in court Wednesday for a setting hearing. She said her client's record was good.

"This is an honor-roll student, 12th-grader scheduled to graduate," Soloman said.

In response to last month's shooting, the school district issued see-through backpacks to all students. The school's metal detectors are also kept on through 10 a.m. daily, past the morning bell.