In the summer of 2010, Robert Fleming, a 23-year-old African-American man, was fatally shot in a violent act that remains a painful, unsolved chapter in Boston's history. The evening of July 20th had been ordinary. Fleming spent time with his mother, Michelle, in her apartment, the two of them watching the 10 o'clock news and discussing plans for a family day trip.
He was a young father to a son named Isaiah, and his mother recalled how fatherhood had brought about a significant, positive change in him. Though he had some troubles with the law in his youth, he had matured and was deeply committed to his family.
Just before 11 p.m., Fleming decided to walk to a nearby corner store. He told his mother he would be right back and left with his cousin. They were only a block away from her home, walking along Adams Street in Dorchester, when the night took a devastating turn. As they walked, engrossed in conversation on their cell phones, they passed two men standing by a fence. Shortly after they passed, one of the men opened fire. Fleming was struck by the gunfire. His mother rushed to Boston Medical Center, but he was pronounced dead before she could arrive.
The murder of Robert Fleming was described by investigators as a cold-blooded and personal attack. He was the city's 16th homicide victim in a year that would ultimately see 73 murders. Despite the presence of his cousin, who was a witness to the shooting, and the ongoing efforts of Boston Police homicide detectives, the case has grown cold. For years, Detective Joshua Cummings and Fleming's mother have appealed to the public for any information that might lead to the killer. The two men who were standing against the fence have never been publicly identified, and no arrests have ever been made in the case.
The lack of resolution has left a void for Fleming's family. His mother, Michelle, has been a vocal advocate for justice for her son, vowing to continue fighting for answers. The community has been urged to come forward with any information, no matter how small it might seem, in the hopes of bringing closure to a family still grieving a decade later and holding the person or persons responsible for Robert Fleming's death accountable. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the case stands as a stark reminder of the lasting impact of unsolved gun violence on families and communities.
