Gambrills Man Sentenced For Shooting Man Through Bedroom Window

GAMBRILLS, MD — A Gambrills man convicted of shooting a man he had previously assaulted will spend the rest of his life in prison for what an Anne Arundel County prosecutor called a "cold, calculated murder." Bashunn Phillips, 25, was sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Ronald A. Silkworth to life in prison plus 20 years for the first-degree murder of Shar-Ron Mason in Denton.

"Bashunn Phillips earned a life in prison when he committed this cold, calculated murder," said Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess in a news release. "Both the victim and defendant experienced struggles in their early lives, but unlike the defendant, Mr. Mason worked exceptionally hard to put himself in a position to succeed. His death is nothing short of a tragedy."

Mason died at age 19 on Dec. 10, 2013, from four gunshot wounds to the upper body at his house in the 1300 block of Chapelview Drive in Odenton. Anne Arundel County Police say it appeared the shots were fired from outside the residence through the victim's bedroom window. Witnesses reported seeing a black man in his mid 20s, wearing a blue coat and jeans, running from the scene.

Homicide detectives working on the case said that Mason and Phillips knew each other. The pair reportedly argued in October of 2013, and Phillips was awaiting a court date for charges filed against him from the altercation, police said. Mason's murder occurred weeks before the case was supposed to go to trial.

Police went to Phillips' residence and found ammunition consistent with the type used to kill Mason. Police also found Phillips' fingerprints on the box of rounds. Authorities said Phillips agreed to be interviewed by police, but texted somebody at his house, asking them to hide his gun. Police found out about the texts, got a second warrant and found the murder weapon.

Cellphone evidence placed Phillips' phone in the area of the victim's residence at the time of the murder.

On July 18, 2018, Phillips was found guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of use of a firearm in commission of a crime of violence, and wear, carry, and transport of a handgun about his person.

Article image Anne Arundel County Police