Wilmington – The investigation of the July 8, 2012 shooting that killed two innocent victims during a community soccer tournament in Wilmington’s Eden Park has resulted in the criminal indictment of members of a street gang for murder, attempted murder, and other crimes, Attorney General Beau Biden announced at a press conference at the Park today.

Biden, joined by Wilmington Police Chief Michael Szczerba, homicide prosecutors from the Delaware Department of Justice, and detectives from the Wilmington Police Department, announced that the investigation of the Eden Park killings discovered a link between the suspects and a Wilmington street gang known as the “SureShots.”   The investigation revealed an escalation of violence involving SureShots members beginning with drug-related crimes in 2003, continuing with firearms offenses, and including a connection to a 2008 Wilmington homicide. 

“We’re leaving no stone unturned to identify and hold accountable all of the individuals who committed and contributed to this senseless and violent attack that claimed innocent lives and terrorized an entire community,” Attorney General Biden said.  “Thanks to the hard work of members of my staff and the Wilmington Police Department, we’re an important step closer to taking down a dangerous gang and protecting our neighborhoods.”

The Attorney General’s office secured the 24-count indictment on October 22, 2012 charging 22 year-old Jeffery Phillips and 36 year-old Otis Phillips with two counts of Murder 1st Degree, one count of Attempted Murder, four counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one count of Reckless Endangering for the shooting in Eden Park of 16-year-old Alexander Kamara of Pike Creek and 47-year-old Herman Curry of New Castle, who both died from gunshot wounds they received.  Both defendants have been held without bail since they were taken into police custody the day of the crime. In addition, the indictment charges SureShots members Kelmar Allen, Roland Phillips, and Seon Phillips with Conspiracy for their involvement in promoting and facilitating the Eden Park shooting.

“Our thoughts remain with families of the victims,” Wilmington Police Chief Michael Szczerba said.  “On behalf of the Wilmington Police Department, we will continue to work with the Attorney General’s Office to represent the victims in this case in pursuing full justice in their memory.” 

The indictment also charges Otis Phillips with Murder 1st Degree and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony for the January 27, 2008 shooting death of Christopher Palmer in Wilmington and for Assault and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony in connection with a May 5, 2007 shooting that occurred outside a club in Wilmington.  An arrest warrant had previously been issued for Phillips’s arrest in Palmer’s death and he was a fugitive for that crime at the time of the Eden Park shooting.  Phillips had failed to appear for trial on the 2007 shooting and was a wanted fugitive in that case at the time of the Eden Park shooting.

The October 22 indictment also charges ten SureShots members with Delaware’s innovative Gang Participation charge.  Under Delaware law, when prosecutors and police demonstrate that defendants are participants in a criminal street gang and present evidence showing patterns of crime committed by gang members over a period of time, the gang participation charge subjects defendants to enhanced criminal penalties.  The indictment charges SureShots members with a range of crimes between July, 2003 and September, 2012, including murder, attempted murder, drug trafficking, drug dealing, assault, firearm offenses, and receiving stolen property.

The defendants and charges are as follows:

Otis Phillips (age 36) – Remains incarcerated without bail since he was taken into custody on 7/8/12.  The indictment charges Phillips with three counts of Murder 1st Degree, six counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one count each of Attempted Murder, Assault, Reckless Endangering, Conspiracy, and Gang Participation.

Jeffery Phillips (age 22) – Remains incarcerated without bail since he was taken into custody on 7/8/12.  The indictment charges Phillips with two counts of Murder 1st Degree, four counts of Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, and one count each of Attempted Murder, Reckless Endangering, Conspiracy, and Gang Participation.

Other SureShots members and their charges include:
Kelmar Allen (age 23) – Arrested following the indictment on 11/07/12 and charged with one count of Gang Participation and one count of Conspiracy 1st Degree.  Remains incarcerated in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.

Jamel Chapman (age 32) – Arrested following the indictment on 11/18/12.  Was charged with 1 count of Gang Participation and released on bail.

Maria Dubois (age 35) – Arrested following the indictment on 11/21/12.  Was charged with 1 count of Gang Participation and released on bail.

Mahary Goode (age 34) (aka Mahari Campbell) – Indicted with one count of Gang Participation.  Remains a fugitive – a warrant for Goode’s arrest remains active.
Levar Graham (age 29) – Arrested following the indictment on 11/08/12.  Was charged with Aggravated Possession, Possession of Marijuana, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, Receiving Stolen Firearm, Receiving Stolen Property, and Gang Participation, and released on bail.

Seon Phillips (age 35) – Arrested following the indictment on 11/08/12.  Was charged with Conspiracy First Degree, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Gang Participation.  Remains incarcerated in lieu of $100,000 cash bail.

Roland Phillips (age 32) – Charged after the indictment (was already incarcerated on unrelated charges) with Conspiracy First Degree, Carrying a Concealed Deadly Weapon, Possession of a Firearm by a Person Prohibited, and Gang Participation.  Remains incarcerated on $100,000 cash bond.

Michael Watson (age 38) (aka Michael Young) – Indicted with one count of Gang Participation.  Remains a fugitive – a warrant for Watson’s arrest remains active.

The criminal indictment was initially sealed so that arrests of the defendants could be secured.  The indictment was unsealed yesterday.  The criminal investigation of this case continues.  Wilmington Police urge members of the public who have information about the crimes to contact Detective Thomas Curley at 302-576-3625, Detective Peter Leccia at 302-576-3647, or Detective Randall Nowell at 302-576-3632.

The Delaware Department of Justice reminds the public that an indictment is merely an allegation and is not evidence of guilt.  Defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a jury trial at which the state bears the burden of proving each charge beyond a reasonable doubt.

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