A Mississippi man accused of murdering his girlfriend claims he accidentally shot the woman in the head.

Shortly before 4 a.m. Verona Police officers were called to Lesa Avenue in Verona concerning a shooting. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Tremya Darden, 24, of Okolona, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head.

Darden was transported to a Tupelo hospital where she later died.

Dandre Edward Lydale McGinister, 25, of Tupelo, was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder. McGinister has been identified as Darden’s boyfriend.

McGinister, who was on the scene at the time of the shooting, claims he dropped his gun and it accidentally fired, shooting Darden in the head, according to police.

McGinister’s bond was set at $1 million.