Tragedy struck at a Phoenix gas station when a 17-year-old girl died of an overdose early Monday morning, according to local authorities. Phoenix Police found Morning Gorman unresponsive in a car near 27th and Northern avenues around 3:15 a.m. following a call for a welfare check. She was rushed to the hospital where she was declared dead.
Gorman was discovered in a vehicle with a man identified as 48-year-old Richmond Sam, and two other underage girls. In a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix, Phoenix Police Sgt. Phil Krynsky relayed, "Detectives learned the man, later identified as Richmond Sam, picked up the females at a nearby park the day before and gave the females drugs to use throughout the evening." The teenagers realized Gorman had become unresponsive while at the gas station and sought help.
Sam has been linked to the incident and was taken into custody. He allegedly admitted to supplying the drugs to the three underage girls. Sam was booked into jail and is facing charges of manslaughter, child abuse, and providing drugs to a minor, as noted by a report from ABC 15.
The community is left grappling with the ramifications of the untimely passing of Gorman - a stark reminder of the dangers of illicit drugs and the vulnerability of the youth in the city. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, as officials continue to unravel the details that led to the fatal overdose. No further details have emerged from the investigation at this time.
