JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The 19-year-old accused of killing a man in a Jackson park claimed self defense.

Daveon Lindsey attended his preliminary hearing on Tuesday, June 11. He claimed he shot and killed 29-year-old Melvin McNair, Jr. in self defense.

The judge ruled that Lindsey would remain in jail. Lindsey has been charged with capital murder, armed robbery, felony fleeing and shooting into an occupied vehicle.

The shooting happened at Parham Bridges Park in the 5000 block of Old Canton Road on Wednesday, May 15.

Detective Tommie Brown said McNair was pronounced deceased at the location. His body was located around 6:30 a.m. by an officer who patrolled the area. McNair had been known to play tennis at the park.

According to Brown, McNair’s vehicle, a maroon 2016 GMC Sierra pickup truck, was stolen from the location.

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said officers arrested the suspect after a three to four-mile chase in the capital city later that same day. The chase involved Jackson police and Capitol police.

The chase ended on Ridgewood Road in front of a Jackson Fire Department (JFD) station after the suspect crashed the GMC Sierra into another vehicle. The victim in the second vehicle is expected to be okay.

According to Wade, Lindsey admitted to shooting McNair multiple times with a pink assault rifle. The weapon was recovered by officers at the crash location.

When Lindsey was arrested, the police chief said he still had McNair’s blood on him, and he was in possession of the victim’s credit cards.

During his initial court appearance, it was revealed that Lindsey has a prior arrest for a burglary that happened in Ridgeland in 2023.