In the early hours of a Saturday morning in Nashville, a brief, seemingly insignificant verbal exchange at a gas station escalated into a fatal act of violence that claimed the life of 37-year-old Michael Robinson of Memphis. The incident unfolded on April 19, 2025, outside the Honey Suckle Market on Lafayette Street, where Robinson was one of five occupants in a white Jeep.
According to police, a group of men were standing near a white Chevrolet Malibu at a gas pump when they had a
brief interaction with the driver of the Jeep. As the Jeep began to back away and leave the market, a suspect who had been near the Malibu opened fire on the vehicle. The sudden barrage of bullets caused the driver of the Jeep to accelerate and crash into the side of the market. Robinson was fatally wounded in the shooting, and another passenger sustained non-critical injuries. Both were transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where Robinson was pronounced dead.
Homicide detectives began an investigation, and through surveillance footage, they were able to identify the suspected shooter. The suspect appeared to have fled the scene in a black Nissan sedan. Following a months-long investigation, authorities identified Derek Michael Randolph as the primary suspect in the shooting.
In July 2025, law enforcement located and arrested Randolph in what was described as a 'tactical vehicle takedown.' At the time of his arrest, he was driving a stolen Kia Forte. A search of the vehicle uncovered a firearm, as well as fentanyl, crack cocaine, and marijuana. Randolph was subsequently charged with one count of criminal homicide and four counts of attempted criminal homicide for his alleged role in the shooting that ended Michael Robinson's life.
