In the summer of 2019, the life of 18-year-old Corey Robinson Jr. was tragically cut short in a Kansas City park. On July 9, 2019, the young man was found with multiple gunshot wounds in Brookside Park, located near 57th and McGee streets. Kansas City police responded to a call about an unresponsive person shortly after midnight and pronounced Robinson dead at the scene. Investigators found his cell phone, shell casings from a 10mm handgun, and two live 12-gauge shotgun rounds nearby.
Robinson's pants pocket was turned out, he was not wearing shoes, and the only item on his person was a single key on a lanyard around his neck.
The investigation into the male's death led authorities to Jonathan D. Campbell. Surveillance footage from the area showed a dark-colored SUV, later determined to belong to Campbell's girlfriend, arriving at the park with its lights off around the time of the shooting. The video captured someone quickly getting into the passenger side of the vehicle before it sped away, still without its lights on. A significant breakthrough in the case came from DNA evidence. Two shotgun shells found at the scene were tested, and the Kansas City Crime Lab determined the DNA on them likely belonged to Campbell.
Further examination of Robinson's cell phone revealed text messages indicating he had arranged a drug deal on the night he was killed. A witness also reported hearing two men arguing with someone before the sound of what they thought were firecrackers.
In August 2020, Jonathan D. Campbell, who was already in jail for a separate murder case, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action in connection with Robinson's death. Campbell had a history of violent crime, including a conviction for kidnapping and robbery in 2008, for which he was released from prison in February 2019, just months before Robinson was killed. In March 2024, Campbell pleaded guilty to the reduced charges of voluntary manslaughter and armed criminal action for his role in Corey Robinson Jr.'s death. He was subsequently sentenced to 11 years in prison.
