Javaris Crittenton turns himself in to police

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News was the only station there as former NBA player Javaris Crittenton turned himself into police Thursday afternoon after being indicted on murder charges last week.

Crittenton faces 12 counts against him in the death of Julian Jones.

Crittenton is accused, along with his cousin Douglas Gamble, of killing Jones in an Aug. 2011 drive-by shooting as the mother of four walked on Macon Drive in southwest Atlanta. Prosecutors said Jones was an unintended target who was hit by a bullet meant for the person she was with.

Fulton County Assistant District Attorney Gabriel Banks said not only was Crittenton a gang member, but once he was robbed, he tried to settle the score and find other members from rival gangs who tried to take jewelry from him.

Crittenton allegedly opened fire, killing the 22-year-old mother.

The then-NBA player joined Mansfield Crips in Los Angeles after getting drafted with the Lakers.

"This is very concerning to our office that gang activity extends beyond the street level, but actually ventures into professional sports and what type of message that actually extends to the young people here in the city of Atlanta," said Banks. "So we are very concerned with that and we want to ensure that the young people here in the city of Atlanta don't copycat those efforts."

Crittenton, 29, went to high school at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He helped lead Georgia Tech to a 20-12 record and a berth in the NCAA tournament in 2007 as a freshman.

WSBTV