Michael Robin Griffin, a 56-year-old white male, tragically lost his life on October 12, 2018, in Coconut Creek, Florida. Griffin, originally from Zeeland, Michigan, was an accomplished professional and a dedicated family man. He attended Michigan Technological University and served as an emergency medical technician in his hometown. At the time of his death, he was an executive vice president for GBI Intralogistics Solutions in Deerfield Beach, Florida.
On the night of his death, Griffin went to a Walmart in Coconut Creek to purchase medication for a friend. It was in the parking lot of this Walmart that he encountered three teenagers who attempted to carjack his Chevrolet Camaro. The teenagers, identified as Dominic Soto, 16, Jermaine Atterbury, 18, and Jason Prendergast Jr., 18, confronted Griffin. During the attempted carjacking, Prendergast fatally shot Griffin, who was found next to his vehicle in the early hours of October 12.
The investigation into Griffin's death was extensive, involving local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The three teenagers were quickly identified and arrested. Dominic Soto and Jermaine Atterbury, who were underage at the time of the crime, were charged as adults and held without bond. Jason Prendergast Jr. admitted to shooting Griffin, stating he was "testing my gangster." All three were indicted on charges of murder.
Griffin's death not only shocked the community but also highlighted the senseless violence that can occur in seemingly ordinary situations. His family, friends, and colleagues remembered him as a kind, hardworking, and selfless individual who was always willing to help others. The legal proceedings against the three teenagers are ongoing, with each facing serious charges for their involvement in the tragic incident.
