Vine star comedian "Mighty Mike" has been charged with second-degree murder following an investigation into a shooting that left a 20-year-old aspiring rapper dead, over a dispute about a flyer, according in police in Baker Louisiana. Baker resident, Richard Phillips, was shot during a seemingly peaceful encounter in the parking lot of a store on Baker Blvd. at around 10 p.m., Tuesday (May 3). This, according to reports by 19-year-old Walter Williams Jr., who claims he was walking with Phillips when the shooting occurred, which was also captured on video surveillance.
Williams' account of the encounter begins when he says a car, seating passenger MacArthur Johnson [Mighty Mike], 19, and driver Charmaine Wilson, 19, pulled up beside the two for a chat with the victim. After a few words the two parted from the vehicle, but Phillips expressed feeling unsettled about the conversation and returned to speak with Johnson again. That's when he says Johnson drew his gun, aimed, and fired at Phillips' chest. Phillips was still alive according to Williams, as the two bolted for safety. He was still responsive on the way to the hospital, but died less than 24 hours later.
Police were able to locate the vehicle a short while later, reporting that there had been "obvious damage" done to the front passenger window, from which Johnson conducted the shooting. Police Chief Mike Knaps confirmed that with the help of driver, Wilson, they were also able to find the murder weapon hidden at the scene. Witness reports detail conversations in which Johnson and Wilson had allegedly planned an alibi of self defense. However, footage of the incident contradicted their claim that Phillips was armed when he approached. Wilson, Williams and Johnson were all arrested.
According to police, investigation into a motive uncovered a dispute dating back seven weeks before the shooting. There had been an apparent disagreement over a birthday party flyer, which police believe triggered the altercation. Along with the second-degree murder charge, Johnson faces charges of illegal use of a weapon and obstruction of justice. He is jailed on a $370,000 bond. The accomplice, Wilson, was charged as an accessory to second-degree murder and obstruction of justice, and his being held on $75,000 bond.
Williams, whom had been accompanying Phillips to the store when he was fatally shot, was charged as well, as police slapped him with obstruction of justice, claiming that a witness' observation that he had also been armed, was confirmed, although no gun has been recovered. His bond was set at $265,000.
Source: youtube.com
