Robert Lee Phillips

Robert Lee Phillips, a 33-year-old Black man, was a father known to his loved ones as "Head." Those who knew him remembered him as a man with a "pure heart" who was "humble to the fullest." A son and brother, his life was celebrated by a family who cherished him.

On the evening of Thursday, October 14, 2021, a dispute in Denver turned fatal. Police responded to a call shortly before 10 p.m. in the 700 block of N. Quince Street, where a verbal argument had escalated into a physical fight. During the altercation, one of the men allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Phillips. In a harrowing turn of events, the shooting was witnessed by Phillips's 10-year-old son. Emergency services transported Phillips to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The Denver Police Department launched a homicide investigation immediately following the shooting. Detectives worked quickly to identify a person of interest, and their efforts led to an arrest the very next day.

On Friday, October 15, 2021, police took 29-year-old Charles Porter into custody. He was held for investigation of first-degree murder in connection with the death of Robert Phillips. As of the last available reports in October 2021, the criminal case against Porter remained pending, and there have been no public updates regarding a plea, trial, or verdict.