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Family of man who died after being tackled at VCU pharmacy: ‘It’s frustrating’

Posted at 11:37 PM, Aug 20, 2015
and last updated 2015-08-21 09:53:28-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- An involuntary manslaughter charge has been brought against security guard George Brown Jr., accused of tackling 64-year-old Phillip Whitaker as he tried to fill his prescriptions at the VCU Medical ambulatory pharmacy.

Brown has been indicted on one count of involuntary manslaughter, on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015, according to David Powell, with the Richmond Commonwealth Attorney’s office.

The daughter of Phillip Whitaker,Tammy Harris, said the pain continues to weigh heavily on her family after her father’s death at a VCU pharmacy.

She explained to CBS 6 that she was livid to find out through social media that the security guard who allegedly tackled her dad had been indicted on an involuntary manslaughter charge.

The daughter of Phillip Whitaker,Tammy Harris, said the pain continues to weigh heavily on her family after her father’s death at a VCU pharmacy.

“We had to find out about the charges on social media and not the police.  I found out through a post on Facebook . It’s very frustrating," Harris explained.

Phil Whitaker died from his injuries on August 9. That was two days after the encounter with security guard George Brown, Jr.  Harris said her family was told that their dad was not the aggressor in this incident.

A multi-jurisdiction grand jury found enough evidence to send the case to trial in Richmond Circuit Court. After Brown’s indictment this week, he was fired from his job as a security guard and a capias was issued for his arrest.

He is expected to turn himself in.

A check of the Virginia Courts website lists George Brown, Jr. as a fugitive.

“It’s frustrating. Makes us angry for such a senseless act to happen and as of now he's still walking the streets. There’s nothing fair about that” Harris said. She also spoke about what she called another disturbing development.

“It was brought to our attention that the guard involved has personal ties to the Richmond police department. This was confirmed to us by the detective. Richmond police have tried to assure us that the guard's relationship to someone within their ranks will not affect the case" Harris said.

Phillip Whitaker with his family. PHOTO: Family credit

She said the past few weeks have been extremely overwhelming for her family who had to make funeral arrangements and then bury her father. She said in the end they’ll keep fighting for their dad, because they want to see justice served.

We stopped by the home of George Brown, Jr. Thursday evening. The woman who answered declined to comment on the indictment and whether or not he had turned himself in.

A check of the City Jail by 11 p.m. Thursday showed no signs Brown turned himself in.

CBS 6 legal analyst Todd Stone said prosecutors probably won’t consider Brown a flight risk or an immediate threat to the community. That’s why Brown is allowed to turn himself in.

He’s due in court Friday for a bond hearing.

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