Joseph Reno Armstrong Jr., a 17-year-old male of African American ethnicity, tragically lost his life on June 16, 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was found shot in an apartment on Montana Avenue in the Westwood neighborhood. Another victim, a man in his 20s, was also shot but survived and was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
The suspect in Armstrong's death, Thomas Robinson, was arrested and charged with murder on June 21, 2016.
Robinson was found with a bag of heroin and a loaded 9 mm handgun when he was taken into custody. During his arrest, Robinson attempted to grab a police officer's gun, leading to additional charges of aggravated robbery, assault, and possession of drugs. Robinson faced a bond set at over $1.5 million and was held at the Hamilton County Justice Center.
In a plea deal, Robinson later admitted to the shooting and was sentenced to 18 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter, robbery, and felonious assault. The case highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the severe consequences of violent crime in the community.
Joseph Reno Armstrong Jr.'s death was a devastating loss for his family and friends, who remembered him as a respectful and upstanding young man with a promising future ahead of him.
