Crime Solvers Central
CSC
263 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Phillip Gibbs death by force case profile photo

Phillip Lafayette Gibbs

Case from Jackson, MS dated May 15, 1970

Victim Details

Phillip Lafayette Gibbs

Male

Black / African American

Jackson

MS

1970-05-15

21

Phillip

Lafayette Gibbs

06/24/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On the night of May 14, 1970, escalating tensions on the campus of Jackson State College in Jackson, Mississippi, culminated in a tragic outburst of violence. Phillip Lafayette Gibbs, a 21-year-old Black man and a junior at the college, was killed in a hail of gunfire unleashed by Jackson police and Mississippi Highway Patrol officers. Another young man, James Earl Green, a 17-year-old high school student, also lost his life, and twelve others were injured.

The events of that night unfold ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Phillip Lafayette Gibbs, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (11)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • List of unarmed African Americans killed by law enforcement officers in the United States - Wikipedia
  • Jackson State killings - Wikipedia
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 9 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (3)

    Just learned about Phillip Lafayette Gibbs, and my heart aches for his family. I can't imagine what ... ...Read More
    03/17/2023
    I’ve been thinking a lot about the forensic investigations following the Jackson State killings, p... ...Read More
    03/09/2023
    Hey everyone, I've been digging into the details surrounding the tragic incident at Jackson State, a... ...Read More
    01/02/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Phillip Lafayette Gibbs

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Jackson, Mississippi

    Azadrian Burton death by force case in Jackson, MS

    Azadrian Burton

    Death: Nov 14, 2018
    Azadrian Alize Burton, a 22-year-old Black male from Jackson, Mississippi, grew up surrounded by fam a ...Read More
    Jeremy Smith death by force case in Jackson, MS

    Jeremy Smith

    Death: Aug 20, 2016
    In the late summer of 2016, a life was tragically cut short in Jackson, Mississippi. Jeremy Smith, a ...Read More
    Emmanuel Fleming death by force case in Jackson, MS

    Emmanuel Fleming

    Death: Apr 10, 2019
    On April 10, 2019, a violent tragedy unfolded in Jackson, Mississippi, claiming the life of Emmanuel e ...Read More
    Jamal Haralson death by force case in Jackson, MS

    Jamal Haralson

    Death: Oct 03, 2014
    In the fall of 2014, the life of 16-year-old Jamal Haralson was tragically cut short by gun violence c ...Read More
    Kevin Edwards death by force case in Jackson, MS

    Kevin Edwards

    Death: Apr 26, 2022
    In the spring of 2022, the life of 18-year-old Kevin Edwards was tragically cut short in Jackson, Mi M ...Read More
    Sylvester Williams death by force case in Jackson, MS

    Sylvester Williams

    Death: Feb 20, 2016
    In the early morning hours of February 20, 2016, a night out in Jackson, Mississippi, turned tragic c ...Read More
    Joshua Butler death by force case in Jackson, MS

    Joshua Butler

    Death: Mar 22, 2026
    In the early hours of Sunday, March 22, 2026, a dispute at a local sports bar in Jackson, Mississipp p ...Read More