In the summer of 2020, a warm Saturday morning in Southeast Washington, D.C. was shattered by violence that claimed the life of 40-year-old Tia Cokley. On July 25th, at approximately 11:41 a.m., police responded to reports of a shooting in the 1900 block of 16th Street, SE. Upon arrival, they discovered Cokley on a front porch, unconscious and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. D.C.
Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel transported her to a local hospital, but despite all life-saving efforts, she was pronounced dead.
The investigation into the death of the female victim quickly led to a suspect. Responding officers apprehended 39-year-old David Robinson, also a resident of Southeast D.C., a short distance from the scene of the shooting. It was revealed that Robinson and Cokley were known to each other, though the motive for the shooting was not immediately disclosed by officials. Robinson was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder while armed in connection with Cokley's death.
In the months that followed, the legal proceedings against David Robinson moved through the court system. In January 2021, Robinson pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter as part of an agreement with the prosecution. This plea deal also led to the dismissal of two other misdemeanor cases against him. According to court documents, Robinson had expressed that it was 'messed up that he killed the decedent and that he did not mean to do so.' He was convicted in Cokley's death and scheduled for sentencing.
