Harper
was in Antelope Valley Court Thursday following his arrest for the Feb. 7
shooting.
Homicide
Bureau detectives began their investigation into the circumstances surrounding
the suspicious shooting death at a residence in the 38000 block of 20th Street
East in Palmdale, stated Deputy Benjamin Grubb.
Detectives learned that Palmdale Station personnel received a call of shots
fired, gunshot victim at the location. Upon their arrival, deputies found James
McElroy, a 21-year-old Hispanic male, inside his residence with a gunshot wound
to his upper torso, Grubb stated.
Paramedics transported McElroy to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Harper, who also lives at the location, was detained at the scene. A firearm was recovered, according to Grubb.
Although detectives originally arrested Harper on a charge of manslaughter, his charge has since been upgraded to murder at his court appearance Thursday and he is being held on $1 million bail. His next scheduled court date is March 1, Grubb reported.
