A Kansas teenager charged in connection with a shooting at an underage drinking party in Buchanan County remains in custody after a judge refused to reduce his bail. William Dowlen of Wathena appeared before Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart on Friday for a preliminary hearing docket call on one count of unlawful use of a weapon.

As we reported, Sheriff’s investigators said a shooting happened during a large underage drinking party during the early morning hours of January 22 in the area of S.E. Mt. Zion Road.

According to a court affidavit, 20-year-old Justice Joiner was shot in the leg during a disturbance at the party. Officials say Joiner suffered injuries that required multiple surgeries.

Dowlen’s lawyer Tom McBride asked the judge to reduce the 17 year old’s bail, which is currently set at $5,000 cash plus a $20,000 surety bond. McBride says there aremitigating facts in the case, including the fact that Dowlen was beaten up before the incident.

But Judge Marquart noted the injuries suffered by the victim and refused to reduce the bail.

Dowlen waived his preliminary hearing, and Marquart certified the case for Circuit Court. Dowlen remained in custody Friday awaiting Circuit Court arraignment before Judge Patrick Robb June 19.