On the afternoon of July 3, 2023, 20-year-old Malik Hillman was fatally shot after a gunfire exchange in a west Phoenix neighborhood near 59th Avenue and Thomas Road. Officers found shell casings at the scene; a short time later Malik was brought to a local hospital with a gunshot wound and died about 2:30 p.m. that day.

Detectives say the shooting began as an arranged meeting between occupants of a gold Lexus and a black Kia. Surveillance footage and an iPhone recovered from the Lexus show the Lexus pulling up beside the Kia, Malik moving from the Lexus into the Kia’s backseat, a struggle inside the Kia, Malik falling out of the car, and the Lexus driver firing at the fleeing Kia. Investigators located the Kia with a missing back window and apparent bullet holes.

On July 26, 2023, police arrested two 20-year-olds, Bieves Basilio and Demarion Guy. Court documents report Basilio admitted setting up the meeting to buy marijuana, while Guy said Malik tried to rob him; both men contend Malik was the aggressor. Basilio and Guy were booked on first-degree murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault charges and their case was entering the legal system as of July 2023.

Did anyone in the area see either vehicle or the encounter that afternoon?