Makeesha Starks, a 26-year-old African American woman from Chicago, IL, tragically lost her life on May 11, 2016. The incident occurred in the Englewood neighborhood, where she was fatally shot along with her stepfather, Jerome Wright, 50, and another relative, Kiara Kinard, 26. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Makeesha Starks died from gunshot wounds, marking a devastating loss for her family and community.
The primary suspect in this triple homicide was Kevin
Robinson, 31, who was Makeesha Starks' ex-boyfriend. Robinson had a history of violent crimes, including convictions for attempted murder, armed robbery, and aggravated battery. On the night of the murders, Robinson allegedly entered the home on the 1500 block of West 71st Street and shot Makeesha Starks, Jerome Wright, and Kiara Kinard. Following the shootings, Robinson fled to a residence on the 10300 block of South Union Avenue, where he barricaded himself for nearly 12 hours.
During the standoff, Chicago police and SWAT teams surrounded the home, attempting to negotiate with Robinson. Despite their efforts, Robinson fired multiple shots at the officers, who returned fire. Eventually, the standoff ended when police entered the home and found Robinson dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a suicide. However, Robinson's family disputed this conclusion, claiming he was shot by police.
The investigation into the murders of Makeesha Starks, Jerome Wright, and Kiara Kinard revealed that Robinson and Starks had a child together and had recently ended their relationship. Relatives of the victims described Makeesha Starks and Kiara Kinard as hardworking women and devoted mothers. The tragic events of that night left a lasting impact on their loved ones and the community, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic violence and gun violence.
