On a November evening in Richmond, Virginia, the life of Frank A. 'Skip' McCray, a 49-year-old Black male, was tragically cut short. On November 16, 2015, police responded to reports of gunfire at the Blue Ridge Apartments. Arriving at the scene, officers discovered McCray in the rear yard of one of the buildings, suffering from fatal gunshot wounds.
He was pronounced dead at the scene, becoming a victim in what was determined to be a triple shooting.
The investigation into McCray's death quickly connected his case to another recent homicide in the area. The perpetrator was identified as Anwar 'Wawa' Phillips, a man with a significant criminal history that included convictions for attempted murder and other violent offenses. Just a week prior to McCray's death, Phillips had fatally shot Rolando D. Salas in the neighboring Chesterfield County. The linking of these two murders led to a focused manhunt for Phillips.
Following his apprehension, Anwar Phillips was charged with the murders of both Frank A. Skip McCray and Rolando D. Salas. Faced with the evidence against him, Phillips pleaded guilty to both killings. The court proceedings revealed the extent of his violent past, painting a picture of a career criminal. For his crimes, Phillips was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison, bringing a measure of judicial closure to the families of his victims and the community that had been shaken by his violent spree.
