In the summer of 2021, on a Thursday afternoon, the life of 32-year-old Yosef J. Timms, a man known throughout his Milwaukee community as "Jay Da Barber," was tragically cut short. On July 1st, outside of his barbershop, Fade Lounge, located near Holton and Center, a dispute escalated into fatal violence. In the midst of a physical altercation with two other men on the sidewalk, shots rang out in the broad daylight.
Timms was struck by gunfire in the head and the chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The immediate aftermath of the shooting sent ripples of grief through the community and left his family, including his pregnant fiancée, searching for answers. In the days that followed, family members announced a $10,000 reward for information that would lead to an arrest. The investigation into the brazen afternoon homicide pointed to a conflict that may have stemmed from a video game. Friends indicated that Timms, an avid player of the basketball simulation game "2K," had been involved in an argument related to the game. It is believed that he anticipated a physical fight, even taking off his shirt to prepare for a fistfight, but was tragically met with a firearm.
Authorities quickly began their investigation, and their efforts initially led to the arrest of a person of interest in mid-July. Later, two men, 29-year-old Don Corleone Robinson and 24-year-old Dawonyae Robinson, were charged with first-degree intentional homicide. Investigators pieced together witness accounts and physical evidence to build a case against the pair. Witnesses reported seeing two men, whom they identified as "Don" and "Fatty," in a struggle with Timms. They described seeing each of the men raise their arms and hearing gunshots. After Timms fell to the ground, the two assailants were seen fleeing in a silver or gray Acura with distinctive twin black racing stripes. Police located and seized a vehicle matching this description that was registered to Dawonyae Robinson. A palm print belonging to Don Corleone Robinson was also recovered from the vehicle. Despite this evidence, the path to justice took an unexpected turn.
In a surprising and devastating development for Timms' loved ones, the homicide charges against both Don Corleone Robinson and Dawonyae Robinson were dismissed in April 2023. The dismissal came after a crucial witness for the prosecution could not be located. Without the testimony of this essential witness, the state's case could not proceed, and the two men accused of ending the life of the well-known and beloved barber were freed from the charges. The case of who killed Yosef J. Timms remains unresolved, leaving his family and community still waiting for justice.
