In the afternoon sun of a Minneapolis street, a young life was tragically cut short. Gregory Lawrence Robinson, a 17-year-old Black/African American male from Mounds View, was standing near the intersection of 10th Avenue South and 24th Avenue East on Sunday, June 4, 2017, when he was shot in the chest by an unknown assailant. The shooting occurred just before 2:30 p.m.
in the bustling Phillips neighborhood, an area with a coffee shop, a food market, and a small mall.
Responding Minneapolis police officers found Robinson on the sidewalk with a critical gunshot wound. He was rushed to the Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Gregory Lawrence Robinson succumbed to his injuries and died the following morning, on Monday, June 5, 2017. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner officially ruled his death a homicide.
In the wake of the shooting, witnesses reported seeing a vehicle speeding away from the scene. However, authorities did not immediately release any suspect information, and no arrests were announced in the initial period following the incident. Investigators canvassed the area, speaking with potential witnesses and appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the apprehension of the person or people responsible for Robinson's death.
As news of his passing spread, online tributes began to pour in for the teenager, who was remembered as a "true fighter" who "always wanted the best" for his family. He was also a proud father to a young daughter. The investigation into his death continued, leaving a family and community to mourn the senseless loss of a young man.
