In the early hours of May 17, 2021, a backyard barbecue in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, turned deadly for 31-year-old Miles Bobbsemple. A verbal dispute escalated, leading to gunfire that tragically ended his life and injured another individual. Bobbsemple, a loving husband and father of two with another child on the way, was shot in the chest and later died at Kings County Hospital.
The incident began when a man, later identified as 40-year-old Kevin Phillips of Flatlands, bumped into
another partygoer, sparking an argument. Bobbsemple became involved in the dispute, at which point Phillips allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired, striking both Bobbsemple and the other man. The second victim sustained gunshot wounds to each leg and a graze wound to the shoulder but survived. Phillips fled the scene after the shooting.
Months later, on October 4, 2021, a detective with the New York City Police Department's Fugitive Apprehension Task Force apprehended Phillips in East Flatbush. He was subsequently indicted and arraigned on multiple charges, including second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. At his arraignment, Phillips was ordered to be held without bail.
Tragedy compounded upon itself when, on the evening of May 17, a vigil was held for Bobbsemple. During this gathering of mourners, two gunmen in a white sedan opened fire on the crowd, killing 32-year-old Shalimar Birkett, a friend of Bobbsemple's.
