PA Man Convicted For Fatally Shooting a Teenager in Willingboro, NJ, in 2021

A man from the suburbs of Philadelphia has been convicted for fatally shooting a 14-year-old boy in Willingboro in the summer of 2021.

Earlier this week, 24-year-old Tamir Phillips of Bensalem was found guilty on charges of first-degree murder, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, and second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

The Burlington County Prosecutor's Office says an investigation began the afternoon of August 21st, 2021, when Willingboro Township police officers were called to the Phillips 66 gas station on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive for a report of a shooting.

There, they learned that 14-year-old Jesse Everett of Willingboro had been shot and driven to Virtua Willingboro Hospital. From there, he was airlifted to Cooper University Medical Center in Camden where he was pronounced shortly thereafter.

A day before the shooting, the owner of a 2014 Honda Civic had contacted police to report that their vehicle had been stolen. It was determined that the owner of the Civic would frequently allow Phillips to use the car.

Police say just before the shooting, Phillips was riding in a vehicle when the stolen car was spotted at the pumps of that gas station.

The driver pulled into the gas station and came to a stop behind the Civic, which was being driven by Everett. Phillips exited and went to the driver’s side of the Civic, where he confronted Everett before firing a single shot into the vehicle, striking him in the head.

Two other people were inside the car with Everett but they were not injured.

Phillips, who was known to stay in Willingboro, was immediately identified as a suspect in the shooting and charges were filed against him the next day.

Sentencing has been scheduled for January 5th.