Teen shot dead on basketball court in Daytona Beach, vigil to be held Monday

Dinesh Patel

DAYTONA BEACH, FL –  It is now the sixth shooting in Daytona Beach in the past nine days, once again deadly after a 19-year-old teen was shot in the head while playing basketball.

The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) is conducting a homicide investigation after a young man was shot, Sunday afternoon, November 29, 2020 while playing basketball at Derbyshire Park.

911 calls were received at 3:19 p.m. in reference to a person shot at the basketball courts. Upon arrival, officers found John Phillips (B/M, 06-23-2001) laying on the ground, suffering from gunshot wounds to his upper body area. Phillips was treated on scene and transported to Halifax Hospital by medical personnel. Phillips later, succumbed to his wounds around 4:05 p.m.

The investigation revealed that Phillips and others were playing basketball when the suspect(s) approached Phillips on the court. No words were exchanged when the suspect(s) fired multiple rounds at Phillips, striking him in the upper body area and leg. The suspect(s) fled the park on foot, westbound on 3rd Street, then northward to an unknown location prior to police arrival. It is believed that Phillips and the suspect(s) are known to each other. No further information is available for release at this time.


At this time, this incident is not connected to other recent incidents. This is an isolated incident as we continue to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors of the City of Daytona Beach.
Anyone with information can call Detective David Dinardi at (386) 671-5219 or by email at DinardiDavid@DBPD.US.

A community meeting will be held tomorrow night, Monday, November 30, 2020, 6:00 p.m. at the Midtown Cultural Center, located at 925 George W. Engram Blvd. This meeting will be to discuss the recent spike in violent crimes occurring in our community. Masks are required.

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