HOMICIDE UPDATE
ODENTON, MD. Anne Arundel County Police have two on tap for a murder from last year and are still looking for tips in connection with the case. Police say that on Tuesday, December 10, 2013, at about 3:35 a.m., Anne Arundel County Police Department Western District officers responded to the 1300 block of Chapelview Drive in Odenton for several reports of gunshots being heard in the area. When officers arrived, they located a male suffering from apparent gunshot wounds to the upper body inside of a home in that hundred block. The victim, identified as 19-year-old Shar-Ron Charles Mason, died at the scene as a result of his injuries. The victim lived at the home where this shooting occurred. Witnesses in the area reported seeing an individual described as a black male in his mid 20’s, wearing a blue coat and jeans running from the scene.
During the last several months, Anne Arundel County Police Homicide Detectives continued their efforts into bringing Mr. Mason’s killer to justice. Several search warrants have been obtained and executed in regards to this ongoing investigation over the past six months. As detectives conducted interviews and pieced together evidence, they were finally able to link two suspects to this crime.
The investigation revealed Mr. Mason and Bashunn Phillips were known to each other. In October of 2013, an issue developed where Bashunn Phillips and Mr. Mason were involved in an altercation. As a result of the altercation, Bashunn Phillips was charged and was awaiting a court date. The murder of Mr. Mason occurred within weeks before the case was supposed to go to trial. After the murder, evidence was obtained in which Tymaine Phillips, Bashunn Phillips’ brother, attempted to secrete evidence from law enforcement authorities.
In working in conjunction with the Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney’s Office, Detective Jack Hartzell presented testimony on Friday, July 18, 2014, to the Anne Arundel County Grand Jury. At the conclusion of his testimony, the Anne Arundel County Grand Jury secured arrest warrants for the following brothers involved in the murder of Mr. Mason:
Suspect #1: Bashunn Christopher Phillips, 20, of 2542 Maytime Drive, Gambrills, MD
Charges: Count One: First Degree Murder, Second Degree Murder, Manslaughter
Count Two: Use of a Firearm in a Felony
Count Three: Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Crime of Violence
County Four: Carrying a Handgun
Suspect #2: Tymaine Kenard Phillips, 17, of 2542 Maytime Drive, Gambrills, MD (charged as an adult)
Charges: Count One: Carrying a Handgun
Count Two: Accessory After the Fact
On Friday, July 18, 2014, at approximately 3:00 p.m., Anne Arundel County Police took Tymaine Phillips into custody without incident in the 2600 block of Chapel Lake Drive in Gambrills, Maryland. Bashunn Phillips was currently incarcerated on unrelated weapon offenses at the Anne Arundel County Ordnance Road Detention Center located at 600 East Ordnance Road in Glen Burnie, Maryland. Detectives responded to the facility and took custody of Bashunn Phillips, where he was served with the arrest warrant.
Even though arrests have been made, anyone with information on this incident is urged to contact Detective Jack Hartzell of the Homicide Unit at 410-222-3566.
“These arrests send a strong message that our Police Department is committed to bringing violent criminals to justice,” said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “Our detectives worked relentlessly on this case, and while there is more work to be done in the community, we want the residents of Chapelgate who were shaken by this crime to know that their Police Department is invested in the safety of our community.”
The investigation revealed Mr. Mason and Bashunn Phillips were known to each other. In October of 2013, an issue developed where Bashunn Phillips and Mr. Mason were involved in an altercation. As a result of the altercation, Bashunn Phillips was charged and was awaiting a court date. The murder of Mr. Mason occurred within weeks before the case was supposed to go to trial. After the murder, evidence was obtained in which Tymaine Phillips, Bashunn Phillips’ brother, attempted to secrete evidence from law enforcement authorities.
