In the quiet of an early Monday morning in Sumter, South Carolina, the life of a nine-year-old Black male named Gregory Robinson Jr. was irrevocably altered. On October 7, 2024, while he was lying in his bed, his mobile home on Bunneau Street was pierced by a barrage of gunfire. Deputies in the area heard multiple gunshots around 1:45 a.m. and were directed to the home where they discovered the devastating scene.
Investigators would later mark more than two dozen bullet holes in the residence, determining that approximately 28 rounds had been fired into the green mobile home.
Gregory, known affectionately as 'Doodle' to his friends and family, was struck by the gunfire and rushed to the hospital for his injuries. For two days, he fought for his life, but on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, the young boy succumbed to his wounds. His death sent ripples of grief through his community. He was remembered as a bright and energetic fourth-grade student at High Hills Elementary. His football coach at Gator Elite Sports recalled him as a natural leader, a quarterback and running back who, despite his small stature, had a big heart and always supported his team. Just the Saturday before the shooting, he had scored his first career touchdown.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Sumter County Sheriff's Office launched an intensive investigation, enlisting the help of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the Sumter Police Department to form a special task force. Sheriff Anthony Dennis vowed that authorities would use every available resource to find the individuals responsible for Gregory's death. As of early 2025, the case remains unsolved, and no arrests have been made. The search for suspects continues, with authorities offering a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Gregory's mother, Sanobina McClam, has pleaded for anyone with information to come forward, expressing her family's profound loss and their desperate need for justice and closure. The perpetrators, once found, will face charges of murder and multiple counts of attempted murder.
