9 shot, 4 dead in 10 days: Daytona Beach police hold community meeting

John Phillips, 19, slain in apparent argument over woman

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Daytona Beach police will hold a meeting with community members Monday to discuss a recent string of shootings in the city.

The gathering comes after John Phillips, 19, was killed Sunday in a shooting on a basketball court at Derbyshire Park.

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One person was detained and questioned, but it’s unclear if any arrests have been made.

“According to witnesses, there was no argument and there was no fight that preceded the shots being fired,” Daytona Beach Police Chief Jakari Young said.

According to investigators, the shooting may have been connected to an argument over a woman.

“What we’re being told right now is that this one, again, is possibly a dispute over a female,” Young said. “A relationship gone sour and a female. This is the second or third one of this nature.”

Phillips’ death marked the sixth shooting in Daytona Beach in a span of 10 days. The shootings have resulted in a total of nine victims and four deaths.

“We’re going to do everything in our power to put a stop to it, but we can’t do it on our own. We need the community’s support,” Young said.

Monday’s meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the Midtown Cultural Center at 925 George W. Engram Blvd.


About the Author:

Mark Lehman became a News 6 reporter in July 2014, but he's been a Central Florida journalist and part of the News 6 team for much longer. While most people are fast asleep in their bed, Mark starts his day overnight by searching for news on the streets of Central Florida.