“Tragic Death of LaRonte Benion Phillips: Teens Sentenced to Prison for Fatal Shooting”

Tragic Death of LaRonte Benion Phillips in Washtenaw County

LaRonte Benion Phillips would still be alive today if a planned fistfight had remained just that – a fistfight. However, what was meant to be a stand-up fight between Phillips, 18, and Gary Michael Brown, 18, turned into a fatal ambush. Brown and his friend Michael Angelo Hernandez-Duque, 19, fatally shot Phillips shortly after he arrived at the fight location in Ypsilanti Township, resulting in his tragic death.

Brown and Hernandez have pleaded no contest to second-degree murder charges in relation to the incident. On July 27, Washtenaw County Trial Judge Darlene O’Brien sentenced both individuals to serve 18 to 40 years in prison for their roles in Phillips’s death.

Related: Teens take plea deal in death of teen after school fight in Washtenaw County

The incident occurred on March 4, 2022, at around 9:40 p.m. in the area of Outer Lane and Williams Street in Ypsilanti Township. A total of 17 shell casings, fired from two different guns (9mm and .22 caliber), were recovered by the police at the scene.

Phillips’ autopsy revealed that he was shot multiple times from behind, indicating that he was trying to flee. Police testimony confirmed that Phillips did not possess a gun.

During the sentencing, Judge O’Brien expressed her disappointment over the tragic event and the use of firearms by young individuals. She hoped that Brown and Hernandez would use their time in prison to mature and rehabilitate themselves.

Members of Phillips’ family, still grieving his loss, also spoke during the sentencing. They described Phillips as the center of their lives and shared how their lives have changed since his death.

Despite their pain, Phillips’ grandmother, Mary Phillips Smith, offered forgiveness to Brown and Hernandez, stating that she is a woman of God.

Phillips’ father, LaRonte Phillips Sr., however, did not share the same sentiment. He referred to Brown and Hernandez as cowards for what they did to his son.

The fatal shooting was the result of an ongoing dispute between Phillips and Brown. Surveillance and cell phone footage obtained by the police showed that the initial confrontation between the two occurred outside Ypsilanti High School after a basketball game.

The shooting was planned by Brown and Hernandez, who communicated with each other via text messages and cell phone calls. They plotted to ambush Phillips and engage in a fight leading up to the tragic event.

Cell phone records and traffic camera footage confirmed that all three individuals were present at the scene of the shooting. Brown, armed with a 9mm handgun, opened fire on Phillips as he tried to escape. Hernandez also fired multiple shots at Phillips using his MP-5 before both suspects fled the area.

Hernandez attempted to report his MP-5 stolen the day after the shooting, even though he legally owned the firearm.

During the court proceedings, Hernandez’s attorney, Michael Lacey, raised concerns about the availability of firearms to young individuals and questioned their mental capacity to handle such weapons responsibly.

While Brown chose not to make a statement, Hernandez expressed remorse for his involvement in the shooting and apologized to everyone affected by the tragedy.

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