Tara Anderson Sentenced to 55 Years for Killing Ex-Boyfriend
An Edwardsville judge sentenced Anderson for fatally shooting Phillip Armstrong as he retrieved a car, following emotional statements from his brother and daughter.
EDWARDSVILLE — Tara Anderson was sentenced Tuesday, Oct. 6, 2026, to 55 years in prison for fatally shooting her ex-boyfriend, Phillip Armstrong of Granite City, as he loaded a car onto a trailer after their breakup.
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Anderson must serve 100 percent of the sentence for the Sept. 24, 2023, killing. She had invited Armstrong over to retrieve a car, then went into her residence, grabbed a .45-caliber handgun and returned outside, where she shot him. Witnesses testified that Anderson had told people she was going to kill Armstrong.
Judge Amy Maher denied defense attorney David Fahrenkamp’s request for a new trial during the sentencing hearing.
Two victim impact statements were read before Maher imposed the sentence. Armstrong’s brother, Patrick Armstrong, said the victim would not see his nieces or his daughter grow up. He described his brother as someone who would give others the shirt off his back.
Armstrong’s daughter said she misses her father every day and does not forgive Anderson. She said she was 10 when the killing happened and is now 13.
Morgan Hudson, speaking for the prosecution, said Anderson had previously shot at another ex-boyfriend but missed. Hudson also said Anderson had a reputation for shooting at people.
Fahrenkamp asked Maher to sentence Anderson to 45 years, which he described as the minimum sentence. He argued that Anderson had a difficult upbringing, saying her father made her steal cars and drink while she was growing up.
Fahrenkamp also argued that Anderson did not intend to shoot Armstrong and had meant to fire a warning shot.
Anderson took the stand, apologized for the shooting, and said she did not mean to do it.
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