41-year-old Philip Prendergast of Silver Spring was fatally shot Wednesday during a robbery at a cannabis dispensary in Northwest D.C., according to Metropolitan Police Department officials.
MPD said in a press release that two armed individuals wielded handguns and forcibly entered the HOTBOX Uptown cannabis dispensary located in the 5100 block of Georgia Ave. NW around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, demanding cash and property from the victims, who complied with their orders.
During the robbery, one of the suspects discharged a firearm, striking Prendergast; the suspects fled the scene after obtaining the stolen property and money. Nearby cameras captured the suspects (video below).
Prendergast was transported to a local hospital for treatment and later died, MPD said.
Several area musicians who knew Prendergast took to social media to express their shock, including Silver Spring native Nate Bergman, who now lives in Nashville. “Don’t put off telling people you love them and believe in them,” Bergman wrote on Instagram. “Sometimes it’s too late. This one hurts.”
Prendergast performed under the names Felipé Dro and Phil Da Phuture.
“It cuts deep,” friend Philip “Ade” Adetumbi told NBC4. “Phil was just one of those people that, you know, when he came in the room, the room was better.
“Turn yourself in, because you’ll never have peace,” Adetumbi said. “You’ll never be able to have peace with this on your conscience, true peace.”
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Metropolitan Police Department at (202) 727-9099 or provide anonymous tips by texting 50411. A reward of up to $25,000 is offered for information that leads to the suspects’ arrest and conviction.
MPD Graphic