The Officer-involved shooting (OIS) of 34-year-old Dustin Phillips on the night of November 22nd, 2023 brought to an end a nearly 30-hour manhunt that had kept the community on edge.
It started just after 5 PM on November 21st, 2023, with the senseless and brutal murder of Phillps’ estranged wife and mother of 5 children, Vennessa Lynn Phillips, 35, outside a residence on Halo Trace in Sharpsburg.
What transpired between Vennessa’s Murder and Dustin being shot and killed by Officers is of great interest to the community that was held hostage as Dustin evaded capture.
I will do my best to lay out below, the events from start to finish, providing the publicly available information sources cited along the way. Please note, that the information below is only the information that I can verify and source and may not contain information known to those with a personal connection to the incident.
Where I believe context would help the reader understand I will provide footnotes. The superscript number ( ¹ ) will correspond to a listing at the bottom of the timeline.
Text in Italics is me summarizing information over long periods of time in the interest of brevity.
00:00:00
Hours:Minutes:Seconds
5:08:55 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatches a call to Coweta County Sheriff’s Office units for a report of “Discharging Firearms” from a resident in the 120 Block of Halo Trace in Sharpsburg. The reporting party doesn’t want to meet, a deputy heads to the area in service to check the area.
T+00:01:35
5:10:30 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises CCSO units that they have received a second call and dispatch units to an ” Unknown Problem, Person Down¹ ” at 135 Halo Trace. Dispatch tells units that the caller advised ” His neighbor killed his girlfriend. “
At this point multiple units start heading to the scene emergency status.
T+00:02:59
5:10:54 PM 11/21/23
FIRE
Coweta County Fire Rescue units are dispatched to an ” Unknown Problem, Person Down ” call at 135 Halo Trace.
T+00:02:27
5:11:22 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises units heading to the location that the caller is a native Spanish speaker and they are connecting him with the Language Line². He was able to confirm the address and his age.
T+00:02:39
5:11:34 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises a report of a ” Hispanic male with a red hoodie running through the woods, towards the high school, through the woods” and “neighbors heard commotion then gunshots.”
T+00:03:01
5:11:56 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises that the Hispanic male’s call came in through 911, while the call reporting a Hispanic male running through the woods came from a separate caller through an admin line.
T+00:04:22
5:13:17 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises Hispanic caller is on with the Language Line, as of that moment they’ve been able to get that ” someone is laying out in the yard “.
T+00:05:34
5:14:29 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises that the Hispanic Male in the Red Hoodie “was last seen running straight into the woods behind the house towards Highway 154”
5:14:39 PM 11/21/23
LAW
A responding unit states that he and another unit are almost on the scene and requests that further responding units start setting up a perimeter noting Allison Lane and other streets.
5:14:45 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises that the original Hispanic male caller ” did witness the gunshot occur, he did confirm she was shot. “
5:13:17 PM 11/21/23 to
5:16:10 PM 11/21/23
LAW
During this time units are talking their response to the scene and perimeter locations including East Coweta High School. Multiple units head directly to the incident location to check on the victim. Dispatch also advises that the initial Hispanic caller has hidden themselves within their house.
T+00:06:27
5:15:22 PM 11/21/23
FIRE
Coweta County Fire Rescue units arrive in the area and stage for Law Enforcement to clear the scene.
T+00:07:05
5:16:00 PM 11/21/23
NCST POST
NCST’s first post regarding the shooting.
T+00:08:02
5:16:57 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch holds traffic on the primary CCSO frequency for units that are arriving on scene.
T+00:08:34
5:17:29 PM 11/21/23
LAW
The first deputy to reach the scene advises that the scene is clear for FIRE and that the female is deceased.
5:17:39 PM 11/21/23 to
5:19:01 PM 11/21/23
LAW
During this time units are speaking about setting up a crime scene, locating the initial caller who had hidden in the house, starting to collect information and set up a perimeter for the suspect.
5:19:18 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch informs units that another call for a ” Gunshot / Stab Wound ” has come in for an address off McNight Road in Senoia.
5:19:20 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Senoia Police Department Units start responding to the call of a ” Gunshot / Stab Wound ” in the 130 block of McKnight Road
5:19:22 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Senoia Police Department Units start responding to the call of a ” Gunshot / Stab Wound ” in the 130 block of McKnight Road
At least 1 CCSO unit diverts from the Halo Trace call to the McKnight road location.
5:19:37 PM 11/21/23
LAW
E911 Dispatch advises SPD units responding that the caller has stated “Dustin Phillips shot his mother. “
5:19:39 PM 11/21/23 to
5:21:08 PM 11/21/23
LAW
During this time SPD and CCSO units ( as well as CCFD units ) continue to respond to McKnight Rd while working with E911 Dispatch to determine if this call is reporting a second incident or if they are reporting the incident at Halo Trace.
5:21:11 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch informs all units that the McKnight Road call is in fact a report of the Halo Trace incident and not a separate incident. CCSO units that were headed to McKnight Rd divert back to Halo Trace while an SPD unit continues to the McKnight Rd location to perform a Welfare Check.
5:21:22 PM 11/21/23 to
5:24:50 PM 11/21/23
LAW
During this time CCSO units continue to investigate at the scene while units bolster the perimeter in an attempt to capture the suspect. A SPD officer arrives at the McKnight Rd address, the location of the victim’s family.
T+00:15:55
5:24:50 PM 11/21/23
LAW
A deputy located at the Halo Trace crime scene advises all other units that the suspect is going to be ” Dustin Phillips, the nephew of a woman that stays at 150 Halo Trace”.
T+00:16:05
5:25:00 PM 11/21/23
NCST POST
NCST’s first post warning of shooter on the loose
5:25:41 PM 11/21/23
LAW
The first K9 unit from CCSO is put on the ground.
5:29:19 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Deputies at the crime scene are able to obtain information that the suspect may stay at an address off Stovall St in downtown Sharpsburg.
5:30:05 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Deputies at the crime scene start the process of clearing the residence at 150 Halo Trace to ensure the suspect is not in the house.
5:34:45 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Deputies finish clearing the 150 Halo Trace residence as well as an outbuilding behind the residence.
5:35:05 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Deputies receive a report that a resident off J Walter Byrom Rd just heard shots on his property, multiple units respond to the scene.
5:36:12 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Deputies identify a Gray van located in front of the 150 Halo Trace location as belonging to the suspect, Dustin Phillips
5:36:50 PM 11/21/23
E911
E911 Dispatch provides units on scene with an image of the suspect.
5:43:09 PM 11/21/23
LAW
CCSO Deputies are clearing Stovall St. location.
5:52:55 PM 11/21/23
LAW
SPD deploys a drone with thermal imaging to aid in the search.
5:53:22 PM 11/21/23
LAW
CCSO Deputies are told by a witness that they heard shots after the incident coming from the direction of a large field behind the 150 Halo Trace location. Deputies identify the location for search.
5:53:38 PM 11/21/23
LAW
CCSO Deputies identify a phone number used by the suspect and request Dispatch attempt to “ping” or locate the phone.
T+00:16:05
6:04:00 PM 11/21/23
NCST POST
NCST’s first update on manhunt.
6:09:49 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Units tracking using the K9 and being assisted by the drone teams hold positions, waiting for members of the SWAT team to arrive with night vision to continue tracking.
6:25:00 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Units finish clearing location off J Walter Byrom Rd and rejoin other units on perimeter.
6:26:57 PM 11/21/23
LAW
E911 Dispatch received a report from a resident in the 200 Block of Marion Beavers Rd stating their motion lights in the yard keep going off. Multiple units respond to the location.
6:00:00 PM 11/21/23 to
6:45:40 PM 11/21/23
LAW
Units continue to track with the K9 and Drones while awaiting the arrival of the SWAT team. Patrol units respond to a number of calls from residences in and around the area including on Cherub Lane, clearing each without any contact with the suspect or evidence the suspect has been at that location.
T+01:36:47
6:45:42 PM 11/21/23
LAW
All units involved in the search for the suspect move to an encrypted tactical channel.
6:45:42 PM 11/21/23 to
3:36:09 AM 11/22/23
LAW
Little information is publicly available during this time period. It is known that units continued to track in the area, including searches as far west as Marion Beavers Rd. We also know that at some time overnight units searched at least one other residence in the area belonging to a relative of the suspect. It was also reported that representatives from state and federal agencies joined the manhunt.
T+04:39:05
9:48:00 PM 11/21/23
NCST POST
NCST’s third update on the manhunt, naming suspect.
T+10:19:05
3:28:00 AM 11/22/23
NCST POST
NCST’s third update on the manhunt, naming suspect.
T+10:28:56
3:37:51 AM 11/22/23
E911
E911 receives a call from someone at the 150 Halo Trace residence stating [ over the course of multiple updates from dispatch ] ” He saw the shooter from earlier today”, ” that the male that was the shooter had a gun, but had no bullets, he tried coming in”, ” he ran off in a direction”, ” ran into the woods behind the house “, ” shooter tried to come home, but the father wouldn’t let him in “, ” direction of travel was behind the house into the woods. ” When the call taker asked to speak to the father, the line went silent. Dispatch advises them about 10 minutes had elapsed since the suspect ran into the woods behind the house. The caller advises further ” now wearing tennis shoes, grey jacket, and blue jeans “, ” the male will be in the back yard somewhere “, male told the caller ” that he’s been hiding in the back yard “
Patrol units start heading to the scene to set up a perimeter while the k9 unit is en route.
3:46:14 AM 11/22/23
LAW
First units arrive on scene at 150 Halo Trace.
3:49:38 AM 11/22/23
E911
E911 Dispatch holds all radio traffic as units arrive to the residence and hold a perimeter awaiting the K9 units arrival.
E911 Dispatch advises the caller states ” they can point out where he went “. Units ask Dispatch to ask for the residents to stay inside the house until told otherwise.
3:58:15 AM 11/22/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises that the suspect’s father is about to exit the residence after being told not to.
E911 Dispatch then advises that the caller is stating the father’s intentions is to “leave the neighborhood”
4:04:23 AM 11/22/23
LAW
Unit’s clear the vehicles outside of the house to ensure he’s not hiding in any of them, SPD arrives on the scene with a drone.
4:08:44 AM 11/22/23
LAW
The decision to hold perimeter while SWAT units are en route.
4:12:31 AM 11/22/23
E911
E911 Dispatch advises caller is advising “there’s multiple buildings behind the fence behind the house.” then advises they overheard the suspect tell the father ” he’d stay in the back yard until day light. “
4:12:41 AM 11/22/23 to
4:55:52 AM 11/22/23
LAW
Units continue to hold the perimeter while SWAT members are en route to the scene.
4:56:01 AM 11/22/23
LAW
Units watching the front of the house advise that the father has exited the house, he’s seen walking out to the van owned by the suspect in the cul-de-sac, before going back inside the residence.
4:56:03 AM 11/22/23 to
5:45:10 AM 11/22/23
LAW
Units continue to hold the perimeter while SWAT members are en route to the scene.
5:46:09 AM 11/22/23
LAW
All units involved in the search for the suspect move to an encrypted tactical channel.
This will be the last radio traffic in regards to this incident at this time period.
5:46:09 AM 11/22/23 to
8:44:00 AM 11/22/23
LAW
With communication moved to encrypted channels, all that’s known is that the suspect was not located that morning.
T+15:35:05
8:44:00 AM 11/22/23
CCSO BOLO
Coweta County Sheriff’s Office releases only information regarding manhunt in a Facebook Post.
T+28:19:20
9:28:15 PM 11/22/23
E911
E911 dispatches units to 150 Halo Trace stating a caller is advising ” Dustin is on scene “.
A large number of CCSO patrol units, several of which are already close to the location, start to respond.
9:29:04 PM 11/22/23
E911
E911 Dispatch states the caller is advising ” he just showed up, they were unloading the car and he came up from behind “, caller advised they have ” locked themselves in her bedroom “, that ” they were standing outside talking to him “.
T+28:21:25
9:30:20 PM 11/22/23
LAW
At this point, two CCSO deputies are already inside the community on Halo Trace with multiple units en route.
9:33:47 PM 11/22/23
E911
E911 Dispatch states the caller is advising ” father may be outside still talking to the male “.
9:35:40 PM 11/22/23
E911
E911 Dispatch states the caller is advising ” last they knew he was inside talking to the grandfather “.
T+28:27:47
9:36:42 PM 11/22/23
E911
E911 Dispatch holds traffic on the primary CCSO frequency for units that are now approaching the house.
T+28:29:29
9:38:24 PM 11/22/23
LAW
Units call out that he ” bush bonded through the woods “, units pursue the suspect.
T+28:29:46
9:38:41 PM 11/22/23
LAW
First unit broadcast ” Shot’s Fired “, followed by two more units within the next 3 seconds.
T+28:43:05
9:52:00 PM 11/22/23
NCST POST
NCST’s final update informing the public of the end of the manhunt and the OIS death of the suspect.
¹ The Nature Code ” Unknown Problem, Person Down ” is often used in order to get units dispatched as quickly as possible and is often changed to a more suitable Nature Code once more information is known about the call. The priority is getting first responders headed to the scene as quickly as possible.
² The Language Line referred to here is a service employed by 911 dispatchers that allows them to bridge in a 3rd party translator service that can translate between the call taker and the caller.