Police in Newport believe they have the suspected murder weapon in the death of a taxi driver.
The driver, David DePhillips, 38, was shot and killed on Tuesday, Dec. 12, with a passenger in the car.
In an attempt to escape, he crashed about a block away on Washington Avenue. DePhillips was taken to a hospital with a gunshot wound to the chest and was later pronounced dead, according to police. The passenger was not hurt.
Three people were arrested and charged with murder in a possibly drug-related shooting.
DePhillips’ mother said her son was visiting a friend and pulled up as Justin Russell, Alyssa Baker, and Jarrett Anness were in botched drug deal gone bad.
Police said the suspects then tried to sell the weapon online.
« I would say this is unusual. We just don’t have a lot of incidents like this. And in my career… I have never seen someone use a weapon and then post it online in their effort to get rid of it, » Lt. Chris Fangman said.
After it was bought online the new owner of the gun saw news reports of what happened in Newport and quickly called police – believing he many now have the weapon that was just used to kill someone.
« It’s incredible with the power of the media to get information out there. That someone can see a news story and help us develop the case even further. just by being a good person they didn’t have to speak up, » Fangman said.
