NATCHEZ — A Ferriday teen accused of stepping out of a vehicle and firing several rounds at an SUV pleaded not guilty Thursday to the four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm.

Donnie Sanders III, 17, 804 Eighth St., was originally arrested on charges of four counts attempted second-degree murder. However, Seventh Judicial District Attorney Brad Burget said he accepted prosecution on charges easiest to prove in court.

Assistant District Attorney Ann Siddall offered Sanders a five-year department of corrections sentence to cover all of the felonies he is currently facing, while his misdemeanors would be dismissed.

Defense Attorney Anna Ferguson entered a plea of not guilty in advance of a status hearing to give her time to speak to Sanders. The status hearing is set for Sept. 8.

Also on Thursday’s Division A court docket for Sanders were charges of two counts simple criminal damage to property, entry on or remaining after being forbidden, possession of marijuana, battery of a police officer and unauthorized entry of an inhabited dwelling.

Sanders’ mother, Colleen Griggs, 42, 804 Eighth St., who was reportedly driving the vehicle he allegedly stepped out of to shoot from, was arraigned Wednesday on charges of four counts of aggravated assault with a firearm. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Sanders is accused of firing up to six rounds at a white Jeep Cherokee. In the shooting, two rounds struck the rear panel of the vehicle.

Four men were in the vehicle but no one was hurt in the incident.

The alleged shooting reportedly followed a fight with one of the victims at the Concordia Park Apartments on Kyle Road. Sanders reportedly got in the vehicle with his mother after the argument and they caught up with the Jeep Cherokee a few blocks later at the corner of Eighth and Alabama streets.

Both Griggs and Sanders were arrested in July.

Sanders was in jail Thursday on a $450,000 bond. Griggs was out of jail on a $36,000 bond.