PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of the men accused of fatally shooting a 7-year-old boy during a West Philadelphia shootout four years ago pleaded guilty to a lesser charge late Monday afternoon.
Christoper Linder admitted to firing the first shot during a shootout on Aug. 2, 2020, near Simpson and Race streets, which killed 7-year-old Zamar Jones.
In a negotiated deal with prosecutors, Linder pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter.
Two others were arrested and charged: Michael Banks and Damar Jones. The latter has no relation to the child.
They pleaded guilty last year in a deal with prosecutors — Banks pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and Jones pleaded guilty to gun charges.
Investigators said Linder was driving down the block and fired at Banks, who shot back but then dropped his gun. Jones picked it up and continued firing at Linder.
In the chaos, Zamar was shot in the head and killed.
Linder was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison. Jones was sentenced last year to three to six years behind bars.
Banks is scheduled to be sentenced in September.