JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Monday, he turned himself in for the shooting death of a Jackson toddler. Now, the man charged with murder is claiming his innocence.
Twenty-seven-year-old Jarvis Harper turned himself in, after police had issued a warrant for his arrest Monday.
Investigators say he was the triggerman in the shooting that took the life of 16-month-old Keiona Shearril, during an altercation on Lexington Avenue late Sunday.
"He's cooperated, he's done everything he's supposed to do, turned himself in and he provided evidence to the investigator showing he was not the one responsible," said Harper's attorney Kevin Camp.
Camp said his client was there but was fleeing gun fire himself.
"He was picking up his child from the child's mother and some sort of altercation happened with some of the other family members. They're also investigating those individuals," Camp said.
Monday, Keiona's parents criticized Harper.
"It shouldn't have happened. She didn't deserve this, I hope he get the time that he deserves," said Keiona's mother Lillian Jackson.
Camp said evidence will show Harper did not fire the shots that night.
"He was being shot at and there's evidence to that," says Camp. "He turned in his firearm which shows that he was not the person who was firing the shots and all that has provided to law enforcement."
Jackson Police officials would not say if they are considering any other suspects in this case.
Camp is hoping to present his client's side of the story in county court by early next week.
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