BOSTON, Nov. 6, 2015— A Lynn man who admitted to being an armed career criminal has been sentenced to prison for taking part in a gunfight that began in Lynn and ended in Revere, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.

ONEIS PHILLIPS (D.O.B. 10/3/80) on Wednesday pleaded guilty to charges of armed assault with intent to murder, being a Level 1 armed career criminal, carrying a loaded firearm, and two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon.  Judge Peter Krupp sentenced him to eight years in prison followed by a five-year period of probation during which time Phillips must stay away and have no contact with victims and witnesses.

Phillips has prior convictions for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Essex County.

Had the case proceeded to trial, Assistant District Attorney Myriam Feliz would have presented evidence and testimony to prove that Phillips was involved in a relationship with a woman when he saw the woman in an SUV with a family member and HASSAN CHALMUS (D.O.B. 10/3/75) of Revere – the father of the woman’s children – in the area of the SandBar in Lynn on the night of March 20.  Witnesses observed Phillips exit a grey sedan and open fire on the SUV and its occupants; Chalmus then exited the vehicle and allegedly returned fire.

Both men then reentered the vehicles and fled in the direction of the Lynnway.  According to a witness, Phillips then fired one shot at the SUV while traveling on the Lynnway in Revere.  The SUV sustained damage consistent with a gunshot and a shell casing was found off the roadway.

Phillips continued to follow the SUV to the area of Fowler Street in Revere, where Chalmus allegedly stopped the vehicle and exited.  There, the men exchanged gunfire once again.

Phillips made statements to Revere Police admitting that he was carrying a gun that night and took part in the shootings but claimed he acted in self-defense.

Assistant District Attorney Elizabeth Riley presented the case to the Suffolk County Grand Jury, leading to indictments against Phillips and Chalmus.  The case against Chalmus is pending in Suffolk Superior Court.

Christine Berardino is the DA’s assigned victim-witness advocate.  Phillips was represented by Theresa Gomes.  Chalmus is represented by Eliot Levine.  He returns to court Nov. 16.

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All defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.