23-year-old Dennis Anthony Robinson was killed around 6:20 last night in the Monument Site Area of Dangriga Town. Robinson had gone to the store to buy a pack of Ramen - but he never got back home. Instead of the door opening, his family only heard gunshots.
That's when his father, Dennis Robinson Sr., ran out of the house only to find his son lying on the ground, and his alleged assailant fleeing the scene.
And this afternoon when we spoke to Dennis's mom Martha Robinson via Zoom, she told us that Dennis was likely killed in retaliation. But he hadn't seen it coming and even felt free enough to stroll to the corner store for noodles:
Martha Robinson - Dennis Robinson's mother "He was killed right on the street in front of the house, we could hear the shot's we ran out, we actually witnessed or actually saw his body there when he took his last breath and passed away."
Cherisse Halsall "Now, I understand that your husband also saw the assailant running from the scene?"
Martha Robinson "Yes, when we rushed outside the assailant was just leaving the scene, my husband pursued him but didn't catch up to him. The police apprehended that person."
Cherisse Halsall "What could have possibly been the issue the motive why he did this to your son?"
Martha Robinson "Actually, about a month and a half ago my other son was charged for murder one for Mr. Blanco, that happened on 19th night or evening in Dangriga, because he was charged for murder my family was targeted for revenge and that's the reason why his brother was killed. When Renrick Robinson was charged for that murder his name and picture was published and because of that they came to retaliate when in fact he hasn't been to court, I have people to go and verify and justify on his behalf, to plea on his behalf because they know where he was t and what he was doing at the time of the murder. Dangriga is a small community, we know almost everybody in our community and if they just come out and do their investigation properly they will know that he's never done that crime and he went to prison and now his brother has been killed because of that. He used to go fishing, he stopped going fishing from 2018 because I stopped him because I found out that some of the guys he was going out fishing with or some of his partners were actually doing sea pirating so I told him that I didn't want him to be a part of that and I had him refrain from doing so."
Cherisse Halsall "You want to keep him safe and then this happens right on your doorstep."
Martha Robinson "Yes, what is meant to be is meant to be we have no jurisdiction over it. Dennis is a very mischievous boy, I know that, but he's not violent, he would tease and he just does what he has to do to put a smile on your face and all the family members would tell you that but he's not violent because he wouldn't fight with anybody if you tell him anything that would make him upset he would simply jump on his bike and ride off or walk away. I have two requests; one we need to find and reach out to at risk youths two we need to make sure that we create opportunities and employment for them to keep them actively engaged. And three we need to, actually, I am asking the media and the police officers please do your investigation properly and for the media houses please even though you get the information be careful not to put people's names and pictures out until they have been persecuted by law."
He's a fisherman - but had taken a break from that due to heavy crimes on the seas. He's a relative of a well-known gang figure and police are preparing for retaliation.
