19 year old, Devon Robinson was sentenced on Tuesday in connection with a triple-homicide of 21-year-old Alunte Davis, and 20-year-olds Timothy Blancher and Paris Cameron that took place in 2019. According to prosecutors, Robinson also shot and wounded two additional victims who fortunately survived their injuries.
Robinson was convicted and sentenced to three terms of life in prison without parole for first degree murder, 10 to 20 years for each count of assault with intent to murder and two years consecutively for felony firearm.
During arraignment, a representative for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said the killer targeted the three victims “strictly on their being part of the LGBTQ community”. The three victims, two gay men and a transgender woman, were in the living room of a Detroit home following a small house party when the shooting occurred. During the party, Robinson engaged in multiple sex acts. Chatter of Robinson's sexual orientation started to circulate throughout the party, many guest saying he was gay.
Clifton Keys, who also attended the party, said that Robinson was “hugged up” with Cameron before leaving the home with a “blank” look on his face. Robinson then left the party and video surveillance footage shows him spitting and dry heaving in frustration a few blocks away at the same gas station where he met the victims earlier. Robinson went back to his home at 4:03 a.m and returned to the party less than an hour later on a despicable mission.
Keys relived the horrific act, stating that Robinson returned wearing a ski mask and a black skull cap.
“I couldn’t tell what was going on in his head,” Keys said. “I couldn’t tell if he was happy, sad or mad. (His face) was blank.” He said that so many shots were fired, blood seeped through the house’s walls. Davis was shot twice. Blancher and Cameron were struck four times.
According to the New York Times, Robinson’s lawyer, Evan Callanan, said his client planned to appeal. He said he had argued during the trial that there was no way to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that a figure who had been captured on two different video cameras leaving the party and entering Mr. Robinson’s house was, in fact, Mr. Robinson.
“You don’t see his face; you can’t see who it is. I had high hopes that the jury would have reached a different verdict but, unfortunately, they’ve spoken. We plan to appeal and we will see what comes of it.”
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said in a statement, “The defendant’s actions were disturbing on so many levels.
She continued, “We will continue to be vigilant in our fight to eradicate hate in Wayne County and beyond.”
Evan Callanan Jr., said during a November hearing that there was no evidence against his client, calling prosecutors’ allegations “a fanciful theory”.
Fair Michigan President Alanna Maguire stated, “Devon Robinson murdered three members of Detroit’s LGBTQ community in cold blood, and wounded two others. Fair Michigan applauds the Detroit Police Department, the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Fair Michigan Justice Project team for bringing this murderer to justice. This conviction and life-in-prison sentence sends a clear message that crimes against our community can result in maximum penalties under the law.”