The Brookhaven man accused of fatally shooting a 9-year-old and her father in an incident that left three others wounded was given a $1 million bond at an initial court appearance Tuesday morning.

Jimmy Lyons, 32, has been charged with murder in the deaths of Jermaine Sims Sr. and 9-year-old Jamiyah Sims. Lyons has also been charged with aggravated assault for allegedly shooting Victoria Sims, 14-year-old Takial Sims and 6-year-old Jermaine Sims Jr.

During the hearing, the judge explained the charges to Lyons. He has not posted bond.

Brookhaven Police Department Chief Bobby Bell said that Lyons mumbled that his actions were in self-defense and that he was protecting himself.

Lyons’s next court hearing was set for March 31 in Brookhaven city court. The judge will review the evidence and determine whether or not there is probably cause against Lyons. If the judge finds sufficient evidence, the case will then go before a grand jury.

On March 13 at 12:20 a.m. Brookhaven police responded to a call about an injured woman lying in the road. On arrival officers found Victoria Sims, who had been shot in the chest. Two children, Takial and Jermaine Jr., were with her. Takial had been shot in the chest and arm, and Jermaine Jr. had been shot in the head.

Once backup arrived, police entered the Sims’s home, where Lyons was taken into custody and transported to BPD. The officers also found Jermaine Sr. and Jamiyah in the house.

Lyons was living with the family in a house at 1088 South First St. where the shooting occurred. Chief Bell said that further investigation found that the incident began not from an altercation but was the result of a conversation earlier that day that the perpetrator, Lyons, thought about and later took action.

Funeral arrangements have not been made for Jermaine Sr. and Jamiyah. Williams Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.