Robin Michelle-Fikes Pearl II, an 18-year-old African American female from Cincinnati, OH, tragically lost her life on June 15, 2015. She was shot and killed while sitting in a parked SUV in the Avondale neighborhood. Robin was with two other passengers at the time, who fortunately were not injured. The driver of the SUV took it around the block to the corner of Dana and Dakota avenues, where police responded and found Robin dead.
Police arrested Joshua Maxton, a 26-year-old man, on
suspicion of the shooting. Maxton was held in the Hamilton County Justice Center on murder charges, and a judge set his bond at $1 million. The investigation revealed that Maxton allegedly shot Robin in the 900 block of Burton Avenue just before 8 p.m. However, investigators were unsure if Maxton specifically targeted Robin.
The case took a significant turn when Maxton's defense team uncovered DNA evidence that excluded him as the shooter. The DNA found on a soda can at the crime scene did not match Maxton's but instead matched another man who witnesses described as the shooter. This led to Maxton's acquittal more than a year later. Despite the acquittal, there have been no other charges in Robin's death, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Robin Pearl was remembered as a vibrant and talented young woman who excelled in sports and had a passion for singing and dancing. Her untimely death left a profound impact on her family, friends, and community.
