On the evening of Thursday, September 4, 2025, a sense of loss fell over the Manchester district of Richmond, Virginia. Terrell Robinson, a 44-year-old man, was found lying on a sidewalk on East 10th Street with a gunshot wound to his back. The call to the Richmond Police Department came in at approximately 7 p.m. Robinson was rushed to a local hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries a short time later.
His death marked the 42nd homicide in the city of Richmond for the year 2025.
Family and friends remember Robinson as a man who was dedicated to helping others, someone who would give the 'best hugs in the whole wide world,' according to his mother, Alfreda Berkley. His life had been one of transformation. Originally from the Jackson Ward neighborhood of Richmond, he had been incarcerated for 17 years. Upon his release around 2019, Robinson embraced a second chance at life, leaning on his faith and finding a passion for helping people. He was known to assist the homeless, even giving the shoes off his own feet, and offered guidance to the younger generation, hoping to steer them away from the path he once knew. He had recently started a new job as a truck driver and was enthusiastic about life on the road, often sharing his experiences and thoughts on his own YouTube channel.
The incident that led to his death is believed to be domestic in nature. According to his mother, Robinson was with his girlfriend when her child's father appeared, leading to a confrontation and a fight. This altercation preceded the fatal shooting. As of a week after the incident, no arrests had been made, and the Richmond Police Department had not released any additional information about potential suspects, continuing their investigation and asking for anyone with information to come forward.
The tragedy of Robinson's death was compounded for his family, as it was the second time his mother had lost a son to gun violence, with both sons being 44 years old at the time of their deaths. The family has been raising funds to cover his funeral expenses.
