A burn victim accused of murder in the United States is claiming innocence and threatening a lawsuit over the charge, asserting that his injuries made it impossible for him to commit the crime.

Zaquan Shaquez Jamison, 20, was arrested in North Charleston, South Carolina on Friday, on one charge of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a weapon while committing a violent crime, according to US media.

According to police, Jamison called Charleston County dispatch on Friday and after identifying himself, said he wanted to turn himself in for his outstanding warrants.

He was subsequently detained and is said to have complied with officers’ commands.

Reports indicate that Santee Police Chief Kevin Borghi had identified Jamison on Thursday and detailed the charges which stem from a January house shooting that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Ja’Mareion Crawford.

Borghi said the additional attempted murder charges were filed as there were other people in the home at the time of the shooting.

However, speaking at his arraignment hearing, in a video that has since gone viral, Jamison denied that he could even pull a trigger due to severe burn injuries that he suffered in an earlier incident.

“I would like to state, my parents are going to be filing a lawsuit because I am a burn victim and these hands are fractured, these hands can’t pull a trigger, they can’t even bend, just bringing it to your attention,” he said.

The video showed the young man with extensive facial scarring and was missing one hand below the wrist.

Jamison was held at the Al Cannon Detention Centre and has since been transferred into the custody of the Santee Police Department.