On Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018, a day typically marked by celebration, tragedy struck in a quiet Johnson City, New York neighborhood, forever altering the lives of one family. Erika T. Smith Cunningham, a 46-year-old woman from Binghamton, was fatally wounded in a burst of gunfire that erupted in the early morning hours at a residence on Crocker Avenue. Two other individuals were also injured in the shooting, the extent of their injuries not publicly disclosed.
Originally from New York City, Erika was visiting the Johnson City home when the shooting occurred. Investigations by the Johnson City police quickly revealed that the incident was not a random act of violence. Authorities stated that they did not believe there was a continued threat to the general public, suggesting a specific motive behind the attack. It was also determined by investigators that Erika Smith Cunningham was an unintended victim, tragically in the wrong place at the wrong time.
In the wake of the shooting, the community was left shaken, while law enforcement pursued leads to bring those responsible to justice. The investigation ultimately led to the arrest of a suspect. Corey 'Gutter' Robinson was subsequently charged in connection with the fatal shooting. Further details of the investigation revealed that a shotgun, believed to be the murder weapon, was recovered from the Susquehanna River.
Following his arrest, Corey Robinson faced legal proceedings for his role in the death of Erika Smith Cunningham. After pleading not guilty, the case moved through the justice system. Ultimately, Robinson was convicted for the deadly shooting and sentenced to 15 years in prison, bringing a measure of closure to a case that began with a senseless act of violence on a holiday morning.
