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Asa Jeremiah Phillips
Carrollton &
Farmers Branch
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 ASA
PHILLIPS
December 3, 1986 - May 3, 2004
This week, Turner teachers and students are mourning the loss of sophomore Asa
Phillips, who was shot and killed Monday afternoon. They will remember him in a
memorial service at Valwood Baptist Church tonight, May 6, from 6-7 PM and in a
student-led candlelight vigil in front of the school tomorrow, May 7, from 8-10
PM .
Teachers remember Asa for being a kind, respectful, responsible, and
enthusiastic young man with great potential. He actively participated in class
discussions and contributed positively to the culture of their classes. Always
smiling and trying to cheer people up, Asa was a friendly and courteous student
known for frequently asking others, "Can I have a hug?" and saying "Te amo" to
the girls in his Spanish class. Teachers and students alike loved his sense of
humor, but they also responded to his sensitivity. He had an uncanny knack for
knowing when something was wrong or when someone needed to talk. He was also the
first to volunteer to help when he saw that someone needed it. He got along with
everyone.
Despite losing his mother at an early age and facing other challenges, Asa kept
a positive attitude. No matter what the circumstance, he kept a smile on his
face. Asa loved to play hacky sack, to skateboard, to play games, and to race
(legally!). He was also a very passionate and talented writer. In fact, he was
working on a movie script before his death. Asa was an active and energetic
young man who loved life.
He will be greatly missed - and never forgotten - by his Turner family.
R. L. Turner High School Archives Page
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Teenagers' deaths ruled
homicide and suicide
10:37 AM CDT on Thursday, May 6, 2004
By SCOTT STAFFORD and MICHAEL GRABELL / The Dallas Morning News
CARROLLTON – The deaths of two teenagers found shot Monday near
a backyard shed were ruled a homicide and suicide Wednesday by
the Dallas County medical examiner.
Police said David Lee Ross, 18, accidentally shot Asa Phillips,
17, in the forehead and then turned the gun on himself when he
realized his friend was dead.
Mr. Ross brought a stolen .380 automatic handgun to the shed in
the 2200 block of Crosby Road, where he was going to join three
friends, said Sgt. David Sponhour, Carrollton police spokesman.
Mr. Ross was playing with the weapon when it accidentally fired.
"They all ran off after the first guy was shot," Sgt. Sponhour
said.
But Mr. Ross came back a few minutes later, presumably to check
on Mr. Phillips, he said. When he discovered his friend was
dead, Mr. Ross shot himself in the head.
"Everybody was screwing up," Sgt. Sponhour said. "They shouldn't
have been playing with that gun."
Mr. Phillips was a freshman at R.L. Turner High School, and Mr.
Ross attended the school until two years ago, said Rachel
Cruthirds, spokeswoman for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch school
district.
A passer-by heard the gunshots and told the woman who lives at
the home in the quiet, older neighborhood, southwest of Belt
Line Road and Josey Lane.
Pamela Graves and her husband have been neighbors with the Ross
family for 12 years. "He was a very, very nice boy," she said.
"Very sweet and likable. This is very sad. We have known him
since he was 6 years old."
Police are still trying to determine where the weapon came from.
[May 4, 2004] Two teenagers were found shot to death Monday near a
backyard shed that may have been used as a teen hangout. The
victims were identified as David Lee Ross, 18, and Asa Phillips,
17, both of Carrollton. Neither lived at the house where they
were found. Carrollton-Farmers Branch school district ...
From Two teens found fatally shot by shed Police say...
The Dallas Morning News
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