Funeral Services for Another Unarmed Black Teen Killed by Police
More than 1,000 people attended the funeral on Saturday of Tony Terrell Robinson Jr.
Tony Terrell Robinson Jr.
By Frederick H. Lowe
Special to the Outlook from Trice Edney News
Tony Terrell Robinson Jr., 19, was shot in the head, torso and right upper arm by Madison, Wis. police officer, Matt Kenny, who had been involved and cleared in a 2007 deadly shooting.
Barry E. Irmen, director of operations for the Dane County Medical Examiner, wrote in a news release to North Star News Today and Blackmans Street, that Robinson died from firearm-related trauma. His death is under investigation by the State of Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation, Madison Police Department and the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Robinson’s friends called police saying that he was acting erratically, jumping in and out of traffic and that he attempted to strangle someone. Initial police radio reports said Robinson had a gun. He ran into an apartment leased to two friends. Police received a 911 call, reporting a man with a gun, and Kenny responded.
The Guardian newspaper reported that Robinson suffered from severe depression, anxiety disorder and ADHD. Kenny broke down a door to the apartment and a confrontation ensued, leading to the deadly shooting, Kenny claimed. He is now on paid administrative leave.
Robinson’s death sparked days of demonstrations by people holding up signs that read “Black Lives Matter.” Sometimes the demonstrations attracted 1,000 people at city hall in Wisconsin’s capital city.
Robinson’s funeral was held at East High School in Madison on March 14. More than 1,000 attended. Similar demonstrations were held after the police shooting death of an unarmed Michael Brown. Ferguson, Mo., police officer Darren Wilson shot and killed Brown on Aug. 9, 2014. Wilson, who was cleared of murder charges related to Brown, 18, has since left the force.
