JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 25-year-old fatally shot in Arlington Saturday was about to enter his senior year at Edward Waters College, where he was majoring in education with the hopes of becoming a history teacher, loved ones said.
Brian Demetrie Robinson was walking home from work at Dick's Sporting Goods when he was shot in the stomach about 9:30 p.m. on Hare Avenue, not far from Arlington Road and Atlantic Boulevard, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Paramedics rushed Robinson to UF Health Jacksonville, where he died.
Robinson's family is now without a father and a son. The mother of his child, Brittany Capi, told News4Jax Wednesday that Robinson had no enemies.
"I was devastated. I couldn't stop screaming. I didn't know what to do. This is not what I was expecting before I went to work. So I rushed to his mom's house and we got the story that someone tried to rob him. And it just didn't make sense. Like this is someone that's just trying to make it," Capi said.
Robinson was from Orlando but came to Jacksonville to go to college. She said he was involved in the community and worked with an organization that promoted black male educators.
Capi said he was also about to celebrate the birthday of his 3-year-old son, Adonis.
"That was the last thing we talked about on the 4th. We were planning our son's birthday. And we were going to take him to Disney to see 'Star Wars' because that's his favorite. And you know, Brian was ready for that. And now he can't anymore," Capi said. "Whoever did this, I just pray that God has mercy on your soul because it wasn't right at all."
Investigators were canvassing the neighborhood hours after the shooting happened in hopes of turning up information that could help them find the gunman. But police do not have any leads in the case at this time.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Robinson's family with funeral expenses.