Eric Artemius Robinson, a 40-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on April 17, 2021, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Robinson was shot during an attempted robbery around 2 a.m. on Osceola Drive, near his home. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he succumbed to his injuries later that day. The incident marked the 12th homicide in Fayetteville for the year.
Following the tragic event, two individuals were arrested in connection with Robinson's death.
Tyliek Saheem Gillespie, a 16-year-old male with prior felony convictions, and Laticia Ramon Brown, a 28-year-old female, were both charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. Gillespie, who had previous convictions as an adult, was arrested at his home by U.S. Marshals, while Brown was apprehended at her workplace. Both suspects were held in the Cumberland County jail without bail.
Court documents later revealed more details about the incident. According to the documents, Robinson and Brown were pulled from a vehicle by several armed men. Robinson was stripped of his clothing and placed on the ground at gunpoint while the assailants searched the vehicle for unknown items. The armed men then shot Robinson multiple times before fleeing the scene. Detectives found multiple spent casings near where Robinson was found, and a cellphone belonging to Gillespie was also discovered at the scene. Brown later returned to the scene with Gillespie to retrieve the phone.
The case against Gillespie and Brown continued to unfold as new information emerged. Brown's father, James Smith, spoke out about his daughter's arrest, claiming that she was innocent and had been visiting Robinson the night of the attempted robbery. Smith stated that his daughter told him she was able to escape the armed men who attacked her and Robinson, and that Gillespie was not among the assailants. Despite these claims, the court documents indicated that Brown and Gillespie were together when they returned to the scene to retrieve the phone.
The investigation into Robinson's death highlighted the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in solving such cases. The involvement of multiple suspects, the presence of prior convictions, and the conflicting accounts of the events that transpired all contributed to the ongoing legal proceedings. As the case continued to develop, the community of Fayetteville remained vigilant, hoping for justice for Eric Artemius Robinson and his family.
