On the night of March 13, 2021, a heated argument between two brothers in Inkster, Michigan, ended in tragedy. Michael Jerome Phillips, a 57-year-old male, was fatally shot at a residence on Ross Street. The dispute allegedly escalated to a physical confrontation, culminating in his younger brother, Roderick Phillips, shooting him in the chest. When Inkster police and medical first responders arrived at the scene just before midnight, they found Michael lying on the floor with a gunshot wound. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injury at the home.
Following the incident, Roderick Phillips, who was 50 at the time, was arrested and subsequently charged with second-degree murder and felony firearm possession. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the charges stemmed from the fatal argument with his brother. Roderick was arraigned in 22nd District Court, with a probable cause conference scheduled for later that month.
Michael was remembered as a beloved father, brother, and grandfather. Born on September 14, 1963, in Kansas City, Missouri, he later graduated from Robichaud High School in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1982, where he was an avid athlete. Known for his love of family, friends, and cooking, he enjoyed spending time cracking jokes, playing horseshoes, and bringing comfort to others through his food. His family held a celebration of his life and he was laid to rest at Detroit Memorial Park West in Redford.
