Hickory Man Gets Minimum 26-Years For Murder

28-year-old Shykwon Rashard Gibbs of Conover, was sentenced to serve 26 to 33 years in prison following his conviction for second-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. Gibbs was sentenced during Catawba County Superior Court on Wednesday, June 4.

The Honorable Karen Eady-Williams, Superior Court Judge from Mecklenburg County, imposed terms of the active sentence after Gibbs entered a guilty plea for the June 19, 2022, shooting death of 47-year-old Amy Raelynn Phillips and for shooting her 23-year-old daughter and his long-time girlfriend, Keiyara Kelly Johnson, multiple times.

When Catawba County deputies and EMS personnel arrived at Phillips’ Conover residence, they found Phillips deceased and Johnson suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Johnson was taken to Catawba Valley Medical Center and later transported by helicopter to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte for treatment of her injuries.

On the night of the fatal shooting, Gibbs, who had been drinking, went to Phillips’ residence and started beating on the door before kicking it to get inside where Johnson was. He shot and killed Phillips as she attempted to get him out of the residence away from her daughter. He then turned and shot Johnson multiple times in the chest area.

The .40-caliber handgun used in the shootings was found in the yard of Phillips’ residence. After being taken into custody and waiving his rights, Gibbs spoke with investigators and told them he shot Phillips and Johnson.

Further investigation into the case showed a lengthy history of domestic violence between Gibbs and Johnson, something she spoke of when addressing the Court, and the abuse she endured.

Mike Crisp was the lead investigator for the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorney Jessica Phillips prosecuted the matter for the State with aid from Legal Assistant Dea Crowe.

Story: Rob Eastwood-WHKY