‘That’s nothing like my brother’: Family honors man killed by Birmingham police, demands answers
By Ayron Lewallen
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BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WVTM) — The family of a man shot and killed by a Birmingham police officer will go back to the place he was killed — not to focus on how he died, but to remember how he lived.
Otis Phillips’ family plans to have a balloon release Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. at the same place where he was fatally shot Aug. 24. For his brother, Martinez Phillips, the loss is measured in moments that will never come — another conversation, another visit or another call.
Martinez talked to Otis on Aug. 14, Otis’ birthday. He never imagined it would be their last conversation.
Birmingham police said officers met Otis after neighbors reported a man walking along Avenue I in Ensley with a gun and knocking on people’s doors. Police said he was waving the gun, pulling on car doors and shot at one of the homes before he was shot by an officer.
Martinez said his family still does not know what happened before the deadly encounter or what may have led to his brother’s reported behavior.
Martinez said what police described does not match the brother he knew. He said Otis had never shown signs of drug or alcohol abuse or mental health concerns.
According to his family, Otis worked in security and was licensed to carry a gun. Martinez worries the situation surrounding his brother’s death will outshine the person he was — someone who Martinez said he shared his dreams and goals with, cried with and slept next to in the same bed with when they were kids.
“My brother is a very kind person,” he said. “My brother will give you the shirt off his back. He will give you the last penny in his pocket. He’s a very colorful person. He’s going to crack a joke. He’s going to make you laugh. That was just my brother. He was a confident man. My brother was more than just a brother. My brother was a friend, man.
The family is planning Otis’ funeral for the Saturday after the balloon release. It will be an especially difficult day for Martinez because his daughter, Otis’ niece, will also celebrate her 7th birthday that day.
Birmingham police have not given an update on the investigation of the shooting that killed Otis. WVTM 13 reached out to the department, but hasn’t heard back yet.
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