Christopher Linder pleads guilty and is sentenced to prison for shooting 7-year-old Zamar Jones in West Philadelphia

A 31-year-old man was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison on Monday for instigating a 2020 shooting in West Philadelphia in which 7-year-old Zamar Jones was killed by a ricochet bullet.

As part of a plea agreement with prosecutors, Christopher Linder pleaded guilty to attempted murder, manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm before Philadelphia District Judge Giovanni Campbell on Monday. Linder was about to go on trial by jury when he entered into his plea agreement.

On August 1, 2020, Zamar Jones was playing on the porch of his home in the 200 block of North Simpson Street when he was struck in the head by a bullet. He died in the hospital less than two days later.

Prosecutors said Linder was standing in a pickup truck on Simpson Street when he shot and missed Michael Banks. Banks returned fire at Linder's fleeing truck, shooting the boy instead.

A second man, Damar B. Jones (no relation to Zamar), also shot at Linder's truck.

Banks pleaded guilty to attempted murder and related offenses last year, court records show, and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

Damar Jones also pleaded guilty to violating firearms laws last year and was sentenced to three to six years in prison.

After Linder's plea, Assistant District Attorney Cydney Pope said, “This closes a chapter for Zamar Jones' family and allows us to look forward, not back.”

Linder's attorney, Eileen Hurley, said Linder was “extremely remorseful” and was battling significant mental health issues at the time of the shooting – issues for which he was receiving treatment at the time he pulled the trigger.

Hurley said Linder apologized to Jones' relatives in court on Monday while entering his guilty plea and addressing the judge.

“This was an absolutely tragic case,” Hurley said.