Altaron Amir Robinson, a 30-year-old Black/African American male, was shot on the night of September 26, 2024, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and later died from his injuries. Online reports identify him as being from Allentown or Easton, with the shooting occurring around 9:27 to 9:29 p.m. in the 1900 block of Butztown Road, near Governor Wolf Elementary School. Police and emergency crews arrived after a 911 call reported that a man had been shot and that the suspect had fled on foot.
Robinson was taken to St. Luke's University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 3:22 p.m. on September 27, 2024. The Lehigh County coroner ruled his death a homicide, with reports later stating that he died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators said the encounter began as a meeting arranged over social media and FaceTime. According to police accounts reported online, Robinson drove to the area in a Mercedes-Benz with a 21-year-old woman as his passenger to meet 17-year-old Gianni Santini of Bethlehem. Police said the two had not met before and that the meeting involved the planned sale of about $320 worth of marijuana. Santini allegedly got into the back seat of the vehicle after Robinson told him to get in, then pulled out a handgun and pointed it first at the woman and then toward Robinson.
Police alleged that Santini robbed Robinson of the marijuana, which had been placed in three bags, including a brown paper bag, a Louis Vuitton purse, and a Coach purse. Santini then ran from the vehicle. Robinson got out and chased after him, catching up to Santini and tackling him. As the two struggled on the ground, the woman told police she heard two gunshots. Santini then allegedly got up and ran away. Officers later found two spent 9mm shell casings and a live round at the scene.
Governor Wolf Elementary School was closed the next day while police investigated the shooting, though authorities said the incident did not involve the school itself. Police described the shooting as targeted and said there was no continuing danger to the public. The Northampton County District Attorney's Office and Bethlehem police investigated the case alongside the coroner's office.
Santini was arrested after the shooting and, according to police and prosecutors, was charged as an adult because of the nature of the allegations and the use of a deadly weapon. Initial charges included attempted homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, and firearm and weapons offenses. After Robinson died, the charges were upgraded to include criminal homicide, along with robbery, firearms, and weapons-related counts. Reports said Santini surrendered without incident and was denied bail at his preliminary arraignment.
By November 2024, online reports stated that the murder charge and the other charges against Santini had moved forward to the Northampton County Court of Common Pleas. No available online reporting reviewed indicated that the case had reached a trial verdict or conviction.
