In the late hours of a Tuesday in Virginia Beach, the life of 18-year-old Dakota Austin Lane was tragically cut short on March 10, 2015. A recent graduate of Kellam High School, the young man was known for his fun-loving nature and remarkable sense of humor. He was a student at ECPI and enjoyed spending his time with family, particularly his younger brother.
On that fateful night, Dakota, also known as 'Cody' to his friends and family, was with an acquaintance, Glen Raymond Phillips.
The two were together on Charity Neck Road when a firearm in Phillips' possession discharged, striking and killing the teenager. What should have been a casual evening among young men turned into a scene of loss and sorrow, forever altering the lives of those involved.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that Phillips's reckless handling of the weapon was the cause of the fatal incident. According to court testimony from a close friend of Dakota's, Phillips had been drinking and smoking marijuana while 'messing around' with his gun before it fired. Authorities subsequently arrested Phillips in connection with the death.
Glen Raymond Phillips was charged with involuntary manslaughter. In May 2016, he pleaded guilty to the charge, legally acknowledging his role in the death of Dakota Austin Lane. His sentencing was scheduled for the following August, bringing a measure of legal closure to a senseless tragedy that took a young man's life far too soon.
