In the early hours of January 18, 2021, 53-year-old Michael Fromm, a male resident of Munster, Indiana, was found dead in a Hammond apartment building. Responding to a call about a gunshot victim, police discovered Fromm at approximately 10:09 a.m. in a residence known to be associated with narcotics. The events of that morning would later be described by witnesses as a robbery that turned fatal. Fromm had reportedly arrived at the apartment on Rimbach Street near the state line around 6 a.m. with a significant amount of marijuana, cash, and crack cocaine.
According to court documents, Fromm was socializing with others in the apartment, sharing his drugs. After the initial supply of crack cocaine ran out, he allegedly sent another individual to purchase more. The atmosphere of the gathering was shattered by a loud 'boom,' which sent witnesses fleeing from the back of the house. Police later found Fromm face down in a pool of blood. An investigation quickly began into the apparent homicide.
Within days, authorities made an arrest in connection with the shooting. Ronald Wilson Robinson, a 33-year-old from East Chicago, was taken into custody. Witnesses and surveillance footage from the area reportedly led the police to Robinson. He was subsequently charged with murder, murder in the perpetration of a robbery, and robbery resulting in serious bodily injury. At his initial court hearing, Robinson pleaded not guilty to the charges and was held without bond.
In his statement to the police, Robinson claimed he went to the apartment after hearing there was a man with a large quantity of marijuana for sale. He admitted to going to the house with two other men, one of whom was identified only by the nickname 'Fat Head.' Robinson alleged that 'Fat Head' first broke into a vehicle behind the house in an unsuccessful attempt to find the marijuana before entering the apartment. Robinson told investigators that he followed but heard a gunshot before he reached the bedroom where Fromm was. He claimed to have seen Fromm on the floor after he had been shot, at which point he grabbed a pillowcase containing marijuana and fled the scene. Robinson denied having a firearm, seeing anyone else with a gun, or being the one who shot Fromm. The identities of the other two men with Robinson and whether they faced any charges in connection with the incident have not been publicly detailed.
