The person investigators believe killed 19-year-old Phillip Sheppard in a mass shooting July 5 in downtown Pensacola died as police attempted to take him into custody.
“Pensacola Police, and members of the State Attorneys Office, along with the US Marshals attempted to serve a warrant for the murder of Phillip Sheppard at Truman Arms in Pensacola,” a news release from the Pensacola Police Department said. “Before police attempted to enter the apartment, shots were fired inside the apartment, none of which were fired by police. Officers eventually entered the apartment and found the suspect deceased.”
No officers were injured, according to the release. More information on the deceased will be released after the notification of family, the release said.
Sheppard was killed and six other people were injured when shots erupted on Intendencia Street around 1:20 a.m. following July 4th celebrations downtown.
According to police, Sheppard got into an argument with another individual, 26-year-old Nicholas Safford. Investigators believe Safford was given a gun by 16-year-old Kanye Walker, and that Safford fired toward Safford but didn’t actually land the shot that killed him.
The Office of the State Attorney charged Safford with attempted first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, discharging a firearm in public and multiple counts of possessing a weapon by a convicted felon.
Safford’s girlfriend, 25-year-old Lillian Meyers is charged with accessory after the fact and tampering with evidence, because she allegedly accepted the gun from Safford after the shooting and took it away from the crime scene.
Safford denied bond: ‘Impossible’ for accused gunman in July 5 shooting to have fired fatal shot
Walker, who will be charged as an adult, faces counts of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person under 18 and principal to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Investigators allege Walker gave Safford the gun used in the shooting.
At this time, police have not released any information about the individual they attempted to serve the warrant on or his relationship to Safford or Sheppard.
News Journal reporter Ben Johnson contributed to this report.
This is a developing story. Check back for additional updates.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Suspected killer in Pensacola mass shooting dies when police attempt arrest
Reporting by Pensacola News Journal / Pensacola News Journal
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By Pensacola News Journal | USA TODAY Network
