James David Smith, a 25-year-old Black male, had recently relocated from New York to Waterbury, Connecticut, embarking on a new chapter in his life. He was a creative individual, working as a DJ and using drones to produce music videos. On the evening of May 13, 2021, while moving into his new apartment on Chestnut Avenue, his promising future was tragically cut short. Shortly before 8 p.m., police responded to reports of shots fired in the area.
Upon arrival, they discovered Smith suffering from gunshot wounds to his head and body; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The brazen nature of the attack was captured on surveillance footage from the housing complex. The video showed a man, his identity concealed by a black surgical mask and a hoodie, sneaking up behind Smith. The assailant's right hand held a gun, obscured by a shopping bag, which he used to shoot Smith in the head multiple times before fleeing. The Waterbury Police Department's Major Crime Detectives launched an intensive investigation, utilizing surveillance videos from local homes and businesses to piece together the killer's movements. This meticulous work allowed them to track the suspect back to his residence and locate the getaway vehicle used in the crime.
The investigation quickly led to a suspect, Gerome Phillips, who was 23 at the time and had also been living in Waterbury. After the murder, Phillips fled to the Bronx, New York, in an attempt to evade capture. Inside the abandoned getaway car, investigators found a crucial piece of evidence: a vinyl glove. Forensic testing of the glove revealed the presence of gunshot residue and, more significantly, Phillips's DNA. A coordinated effort between law enforcement agencies culminated in the apprehension of Phillips in the Bronx by U.S. Marshals on June 8, 2021. He was extradited back to Waterbury on June 11 to face justice.
Gerome Phillips was charged with a slate of offenses, including murder, criminal use of a weapon, and carrying a pistol without a permit. He was held on a $2 million bond. After a jury trial in Waterbury Superior Court, Phillips, then 27, was found guilty of murder on October 24, 2024. His sentencing was scheduled for January 16, 2025, bringing a long-awaited conclusion for the family of James David Smith.
