Man fired at 13 times in Tacoma parking lot has been identified by the medical examiner
A man hit and killed by some of the 13 bullets allegedly fired by Robert Joeseph Phillips at a Tacoma apartment complex Aug. 21 has been identified.
Sirrone Newbern, 44, died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office. His death was ruled a homicide.
Phillips, 29, was charged Friday in Pierce County Superior Court with first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm for the shooting in the 8600 block of South C Street. Not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf, and bail was set at $1.5 million.
Charging papers allege that Phillips drove into the apartment complex, got out of his vehicle with a gun already in hand and pointed it at Newbern. When Newbern began to retreat, Phillips allegedly started running at him while shooting.
Newbern collapsed, but according to the declaration for determination of probable cause, Phillips kept firing until his handgun was empty. Records state he drove off with another person in his passenger seat. Police found 13 shell casings nearby.
This story was originally published August 28, 2023 at 5:44 PM.
