In the quiet community of Axton, Virginia, a domestic dispute on a Saturday night escalated into a tragedy that ended the life of 36-year-old Bryant Richard Robinson. On the evening of September 2, 2023, authorities received a chilling call from a man who confessed to shooting and killing his boyfriend. When deputies arrived at the residence on Irisburg Road, they found Robinson deceased inside the home, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds.
The man who made the call, 59-year-old John Andrew Brooks, was found waiting on the front porch and was taken into custody without incident. According to information detailed in warrants, the violent encounter stemmed from a verbal argument that began over a television show. Brooks and Robinson, who had been in a relationship for two years, had reportedly been drinking wine and smoking marijuana that evening. The argument turned physical, moving from the living room to the kitchen.
As the altercation intensified, Brooks claimed that Robinson began choking and hitting him. Brooks stated that he warned Robinson he would shoot him if he did not stop. The fight continued, and both men fell to the floor. Brooks then retrieved a revolver from the dining room table. As Robinson reportedly grabbed the barrel of the gun, Brooks pushed him away and fired three times. Following the shooting, Robinson's body was transported to the medical examiner's office in Roanoke for an autopsy.
John Andrew Brooks was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was subsequently held without bond at the Henry County Adult Detention Center. Friends of Bryant Robinson remembered him as a kindhearted and vibrant person with a love for adventure, travel, and the outdoors. A former flight attendant and bartender, he was also a passionate advocate for gay and women's rights, known for his warm personality and his ability to make friends easily. His death left a profound void in the lives of his friends and family.
