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Surveillance video leading up to drive-by shooting that killed boy, 4, shown in first day of trial

Quentin Phillips facing up to life in prison if found guilty

SAN ANTONIO – Key surveillance footage was shown on the first day of trial in the case of a man accused in a deadly drive-by shooting that killed a four-year-old boy.

Quentin Phillips was one of three charged with the July 19, 2017, murder of De’Earlvion Whitley.

Whitley was inside his home playing video games with his brother when more than 60 shots were fired into his home.

On the first day of Phillips’ trial, the state said De’Earlvion was shot in the head and was killed instantly.

Prosecutor James Phillips said an FBI investigation was ongoing at the time of the shooting, and surveillance was being done on a home on J Street. This was all related to gang violence going on in 2017 on the city’s East Side.

That FBI surveillance video caught the moments leading up to the shooting.

Several men — including Phillips, John Chatmon, Terrell Chase and Todd Hill — were said to be in the video by FBI special agent Mario Martin.

Martin detailed the moments an AR-15 was passed to Chase by Chatmon, and another shot shows Phillips holding a pistol.

Eventually, the video showed Phillips, Chase, Chatmon, and Hill getting into a Chevy Malibu. Phillips is seen entering the driver seat, and then the car drives off.

The state said it was at that point they believed they went to commit the drive-by shooting.

The defense did not give opening statements and will wait to present anything until the state rests.

Phillips, if found guilty, is facing up to life in prison.

Testimony is expected to continue Thursday morning in the 437th District Court.


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About the Authors
Erica Hernandez headshot

Erica Hernandez is an Emmy award-winning journalist with 15 years of experience in the broadcast news business. Erica has covered a wide array of stories all over Central and South Texas. She's currently the court reporter and cohost of the podcast Texas Crime Stories.

Sal Salazar headshot

Sal Salazar is a photojournalist at KSAT 12. Before coming to KSAT in 1998, he worked at the Fox affiliate in San Antonio. Sal started off his career back in 1995 for the ABC Affiliate in Lubbock and has covered many high-profile news events since. In his free time, he enjoys spending time at home, gaming and loves traveling with his wife.

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