April 16, 2016
Contributed photo/Philadelphia Police Department
Maurice Phillips, 30, of the 200 block of East Mayfield Street in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, is charged with third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter and related offenses for allegedly shooting and killing his 4-year-old daughter on Saturday, April 16, 2016.
A man charged in the shooting death of his 4-year-old daughter in Kensington over the weekend has been denied bail, according to court documents.
Maurice Phillips faces third-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, reckless endangerment and related charges. Phillips has surrendered to Philadelphia police, and according to investigators, he allegedly has described the events leading to the shooting of his daughter, Tahirah Phillips, on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred at 2:25 p.m. on the 200 block of East Mayfield Street. Seven children were inside the home when Tahirah was struck once in the face, police said. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to an initial investigation, Tahirah was in the front bedroom of the home with her father and six siblings, who range in age from 7 months to 13 years old. The children were playing and watching television when a single gunshot was heard and Tahirah fell to the floor with a bullet wound to her head, police said.
Tahirah's siblings became upset and began yelling, police said. Phillips allegedly left his bed, punched his 5-year-old daughter and wiped blood from his hand onto her shirt. He then carried Tahirah into the rear bedroom, called his fiancé and told her to come home.
After his fiancé returned, Phillips followed her to the rear bedroom, changed clothes and fled the residence, police said. Flash information was issued to locate Phillips, who later surrendered to 24th District personnel.
Originally, police believed that one of the victim's siblings had found a gun and accidentally shot Tahirah.
Officials continue to investigate the incident.
