Phillip Alvin Jones, III was murdered at just 23 years old two years ago, and federal authorities are still searching for his suspected killer.
On the run for months, Baltimore County Police said Deaven “Gotti” Cherry has been identified in connection with Jones’ death. Jones was shot and killed while sitting in a car on Gehb Avenue in Halethorpe on March 29, 2015.
This is Phillip Jones, III. According to police, he was shot and killed while sitting in a car on Gehb Avenue in Halethorpe. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/kITSm0YTqv
— Skyler A. Henry (@SkylerHenry) March 29, 2017
Cherry was one of 21 Hillside Enterprise gang members indicted last year and charged with conspiracy to distribute drugs. Investigators said the gang terrorized the city’s Cherry Hill neighborhood, shooting at least 21 people.
RELATED: 21 people indicted for role in violent Cherry Hill street gang
Eleven of the gang’s members are responsible for killing at least 13 people, investigators said. Many of these deaths, including the case of Phillip Alvin Jones, III, remain unsolved.
Jones' mother, Lisa, found out when the feds made the announcement in September.
"At first not knowing who it was -- it was everybody. Everybody was the killer," Lisa said. "I want him locked up. I want answers to why. Why would you do that? What was the meaning--what was the threat," she asked.
Police say Jones was sitting in a four-door Infiniti on Gehb Avenue, when someone shot into the car -- killing Thomas and injuring another passenger.
"They were conducting a larger-scale investigation. During the course of that investigation, we discovered that Deaven Cherry, who was later identified as our suspect, was also part of their investigation," Ofc. Tyrice Henderson.
A federal indictment claims Jones and his passenger were part of a rival gang, 'Up Da Hill' or UDH. They were shot in retaliation for another gang murder.
Lisa feels her son wasn't involved.
"He never even lived in Cherry Hill. Where my child was born, he was born in Gilmore Homes. So he was not a gang member or nothing affiliated with that," Lisa said.
More reasons, in Lisa's mind, why cherry needs to be off the streets and in handcuffs.
"The same way he triggered off and killed my child for his own personal reasons, he can kill anybody at any time," Lisa said.
Cherry is still on the run.
Feds are looking for this man, Deaven Cherry AKA "Gotti." He's accused of killing 23-year-old Phillip Jones in '15. @ABC2NEWS pic.twitter.com/RonikzvpTU
— Skyler A. Henry (@SkylerHenry) March 29, 2017
