A man accused of shooting a 2-year-old outside a Memorial Drive Kroger in 2013 is expected to plea Friday, officials said.
Chazrel Burton is accused of indiscriminately firing up to 15 bullets into a vehicle occupied by 2-year-old Evan Harrison and his mother following an altercation with the boy’s father. He was charged with cruelty to children, robbery, and several counts of aggravated assault, possession of a gun during the commission of a felony and criminal attempt to commit a felony.
Burton, who turned himself in to authorities in July 2013 after a lengthy manhunt, is scheduled to appear before Superior Court Judge Clarence Seeliger for a plea hearing at 9:30 a.m. Friday.
He previously asked the judge to lower his bond, which was set at $500,000, but rather than reduce bond, Seeliger chose to remove any chance Burton had of being released from jail.
“There were 15 shots fired in a public place and a child was injured,” Seeliger said. “I don’t know what he was aiming at … what he was shooting at, but he in fact is a danger to the community.”
In what was called the “Good Samaritan” case, Evan’s father, Germaine Harrison, attempted to stop Burton as he robbed someone outside the Kroger on South Hairston, near Stone Mountain.
According to police, Evan’s father witnessed Burton snatch a chain from someone’s neck outside a Chase Bank branch. The father confronted Burton after spotting him walking in front of the Kroger on North Hairston Road.
Police said they believe Burton knew a child was in the car when he began shooting.
