BEXAR COUNTY, Texas — Back in 2017, four men were arrested after being involved in a drive-by shooting that killed a 4-year-old boy. On Tuesday, 31-year-old Quentin Phillips was sentenced to 70 years behind bars after he was convicted for his involvement.
A Bexar County jury last week found Phillips guilty of having driven the car from which the lethal shots were fired minutes before midnight on July 19, 2017, when more than 60 shots rang out in the attack on an east-side home.
Terrell Chase and John Chatman were arrested and accused of being the shooters in the incident, which authorities said was "retaliation" for an earlier shooting "wrongfully attributed" to the father of the 4-year-old that was killed, D'Earlvion Whitely. D'Earlvion's mother was also hurt in the shooting.
D’Earlvion was struck by a single bullet while he and his brother were playing a video game, which killed him instantly, according to authorities.
Chase was previously sentenced to life in prison for his involvement. The Bexar County district attorney's office says Chatman's case remains pending, with his next court appearance scheduled for Feb. 2.
“Gang violence doesn’t just impact people in the gang. The murder of De-Earlvion Whitley, an innocent child, shows the devastating consequences of street gang violence and the importance of ensuring the safety and security of our communities,” said Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales previously said. “Our commitment is to work to prevent such tragedies, hold offenders accountable and provide an environment where every child can grow up without fear.”