On the evening of July 19, 2024, a burst of violence in a convenience store parking lot in Burton, Michigan, ended the life of 48-year-old Thomas Phifer, a man known affectionately to some as 'Hoop'. The fatal encounter occurred in the 3200 block of Lippincott Boulevard, at the Ten Eleven convenience store. An altercation between Phifer and another individual escalated, tragically culminating in Phifer being fatally shot.
Surveillance footage from the scene captured the heated exchange and the moments leading up to the shooting. After the shots were fired, the unidentified suspect was seen fleeing the area, heading west towards Dort Highway. Despite the existence of this footage, the perpetrator remains at large. The Burton Police Department has been actively investigating the homicide, but as of now, no arrests have been made in connection with Phifer's death, and the case remains an open and ongoing investigation.
In an effort to bring justice to Thomas Phifer and his grieving family, authorities have reached out to the public for assistance. A reward of up to $2,500 has been offered by Crime Stoppers for any information that leads to an arrest in the case. The community mourned the loss of Phifer, with funeral services held on August 5, 2024. As the investigation continues, his family and friends are left waiting for answers and the closure that an arrest would bring.
