Phildarious Parrish had plans to graduate from Stephenson High School in DeKalb County this spring. He wanted to become a small business owner, his father told Channel 2 Action News.
Instead, Phillip Parrish is preparing to bury the 18-year-old, his youngest son. The teen was shot Thursday afternoon at a home on Robins Nest near Stone Mountain. According to DeKalb County authorities, he and two friends went to the home to confront a 15-year-old Stephenson freshman after a fight at the school the previous day.
Phillip Parrish told the news station all the boys involved in the fight were suspended from school.
RELATED: DeKalb senior shot, killed day after schoolyard fight; freshman charged with murder
His son was shot after the 15-year-old, his father and his brother ran inside and grabbed guns, Parrish’s friends told police. The 15-year-old, who has not been identified, allegedly fired two rounds at Parrish, striking him once in the chest. Parrish was found by police at a home on Lakewater View and later died at a local hospital.
His father said he does not blame the boy for taking Parrish’s life. He has already forgiven him.
“Why would I be mad with a baby?" Phillip Parrish told Channel 2. "Babies make mistakes. It's that father's responsibility to raise that baby boy. And he didn't fail me. Because his son's got to reap what he sowed."
The 15-year-old was arrested on a charge of murder.
Parrish’s friends told police they were looking to fight, but they never thought it would end in gun violence. Again, Phillip Parrish said it was up to the freshman’s father, the only adult, to diffuse the situation.
“By that man not standing up and saying, 'Get out of my yard,’ he allowed his son to just go and shoot another kid," he said.
An investigation into the deadly shooting is ongoing.
Tipsters can remain anonymous, and be eligible for rewards of up to $2,000, by calling Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477, texting information to 274637 or visiting the Crime Stoppers website.
