Convicted Felon on Probation Charged with Firearms Offense Resulting in the Death of His Child

NASHVILLE - Steven Lamont Phillips, 56, of Nashville, Tennessee, was charged yesterday with possession of a weapon by a previously convicted felon for his role in the death of his son, announced United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek for the Middle District of Tennessee.

"The death of a child is every parent's nightmare," said United States Attorney Braden H. Boucek. "The possession of firearms by convicted felons is inherently dangerous. This tragic outcome could have been avoided by simply following the law. Our office will hold felons accountable when they possess firearms, especially if they've been convicted of a violent crime."

On March 28, 2026, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department responded to a shooting at a home in Nashville. Once there, the officers found Phillips' six-year-old son, S.R., who was unresponsive, with a gunshot wound to the head. The Nashville Fire Department transported S.R. to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital, where he later succumbed to his wound and died.

After being advised on his Miranda rights, Phillips told the police officers that he found the gun outside on the morning of the shooting. After finding the gun, he put the gun inside of his pocket and went back inside the house. Once he was back inside, Phillips started playing with S.R., before falling asleep on the living room floor. He woke up to the sound of a gunshot and saw a muzzle flash.

At the time he possessed the weapon in this case, a Kel-Tec CNC Inc. model P3AT .380 auto caliber pistol, Phillips was a convicted felon. He has prior convictions in Davidson County Criminal Court for aggravated robbery, possession of a weapon of a previously convicted felon, and attempted theft over $10,000 but under $60,000. Phillips is currently on probation for attempted theft over $10,000 but under $60,000, a felony in the State of Tennessee

If convicted, Phillips faces up to 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Cooper R. Byers is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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