A Mishawaka man convicted Thursday of killing his girlfriend said he shot her with a handgun she bought him so he could protect her.

Tyron Johnson was found guilty of murder after the jury deliberated for more than seven hours Thursday, our news partners ABC 57 reported. He faces up to 65 years in prison when he’s sentenced.

Johnson admitted that he shot Precious Jackson in front of his parent’s Mishawaka home in 2015, but said that he didn’t intend to kill her. Johnson testified that he and Jackson were fighting when he pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger, then blacked out and ran away. The couple’s two children witnessed the shooting.

His attorney, Charles Lahey, argued that he is guilty of voluntary manslaughter, not murder, but the jury disagreed.

Lahey told ABC 57 that Johnson has accepted responsibility for his actions.

“He’ll serve a lot of time in prison for this, but I think he’s on his way to becoming a good man eventually,” he said.

The couple’s two children are being raised by both families and are doing well.