On the morning of September 17, 2024, Garland police responded to a domestic disturbance at the Arts Apartments at Broadway Commons. Upon arrival, officers found the front door forced open and two small children inside. As they entered, gunfire erupted from a back bedroom. The officers took cover and ensured the children's safety. Shortly thereafter, 35-year-old Brodrick Earl Kennedy emerged from the bedroom and surrendered without incident.
Inside the bedroom, officers discovered two women with gunshot wounds. One was pronounced dead at the scene, while the other was transported to a hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The victims were identified as 38-year-old Donillie Lashay Kennedy and her mother, 58-year-old Shirley Jean Phillips. The two children present were unharmed and subsequently released to extended family members.
Brodrick Kennedy, husband of Donillie and son-in-law of Shirley, was arrested at the scene. He has been charged with capital murder and is being held at the Garland Detention Center without bond. The investigation into the motive and circumstances surrounding the shootings is ongoing.
Shirley Phillips was born on August 12, 1966, in Dallas, Texas. She was a devoted mother and grandmother, known for her unwavering kindness and faith. Her passing has left a profound void in the lives of her family and friends, who remember her for her loving heart and compassionate nature.
