Shooting of Tony Robinson

The shooting of Tony Terrell Robinson Jr. occurred on March 6, 2015, in Madison, Wisconsin. Robinson, an unarmed 19-year-old man, was fatally shot by 45-year-old Matthew Kenny, a Madison police officer, during a check-welfare call. Kenny was responding to reports that Robinson was jumping in front of cars and acting erratically.[1] On May 12, 2015, the shooting was determined to be justified self-defense by the Dane County District Attorney Ismael Ozanne.[2] The death was protested by the Black Lives Matter movement; Robinson was biracial and of African American descent.

Shooting of Tony Robinson
Location of Madison, within Dane County, and Dane County within Wisconsin
DateMarch 6, 2015 (2015-03-06)
Time6:30 p.m.
LocationWilliamson Street, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
Participants
DeathsTony Robinson
ChargesNone filed

Shooting

On March 6, 2015, the police received reports that 19-year-old Tony Robinson was yelling and jumping in front of cars. Robinson had reportedly been running in and out of the street while shouting at bystanders. Some of the reports were from friends of Robinson, who were concerned by his erratic behavior and called for help. The original caller and witnesses all stated that Robinson was unarmed and expressed concern over his well-being.[3]

Officer Matt Kenny responded to the call of a “Check Person” at 6:30 pm. Officer Kenny was backed up by Sergeant Gary and Officer Christian. Gary and Christian arrived to the front of the residence as Kenny was standing in the entrance to the stairwell by the open door.[4]

Officer Kenny went into the open side porch door into a stairway of 12 steps. Officer Kenny stood in the entryway of the steps just inside the open door. Approximately 10 seconds after Kenny entered Robinson exited his upstairs apartment and started walking down the stairs. Officer Kenny fired his gun hitting Robinson 7 times. Sergeant Gary, first on scene after Kenny asked Kenny if Robinson had any weapons. Kenny replied that Robinson did not have any weapons. Sergeant Gary saw Robinson laying at the bottom of the stairs on his back with his feet out the door. Sergeant Gary saw Robinson gasp for breath and pull his hands inward toward the front of his body near his stomach. Sergeant Gary noted that Robinson had nothing in his hands. Sergeant Gary also noted that Officer Kenny appeared to have no injuries. Physical evidence at the scene showed all bullet casings at the bottom of the stairs, the entryway, and outside the stairwell on the porch. Squad video footage showed Kenny exiting the house as he was firing the final 3-4 shots. Further evidence at the scene showed Robinson's blood on the wall at 5 feet above the top of the fifth step from the entryway.[4][5]

Robinson was taken to UW Hospital in Madison, WI where he was pronounced dead. Autopsy results confirmed that Robinson had been struck by 7 bullets that were from 0–5 foot range. Officer Kenny had no confirmed injuries and although he claimed a concussion 28 days after the shooting incident a ruling by Judge James Petersen said Kenny's claims of concussion were not verifiable and only based on Kenny's “say-so” [5]

Robinson was determined post-mortem to have ingested Xanax, psilocybin mushrooms, and THC hours before the shooting. The drugs may have contributed to his erratic behavior.[6]

Background

Court documents show that Robinson was on probation after pleading guilty to armed robbery in 2014. This stemmed from a home-invasion robbery in which Robinson was caught by police fleeing the scene, armed with a fake, but realistic-looking gun.[7]

In 2007, Officer Matt Kenny had shot and killed Ronald Brandon, who was standing on the porch of his own home, holding what was later learned was a pellet gun.[8]

Aftermath

The Black Lives Matter movement has protested Robinson's death.[9][10][11] Some 1,500 protesters, mostly high school students who had staged a walk-out, filled the state capitol on March 9 to protest Robinson's death, yelling the "Hands up, don't shoot" chant through the capital building.[12]

The Wisconsin Department of Justice investigated the Robinson shooting, as required by Wisconsin law.[13] Robinson's uncle said that the family had faith that the Division of Criminal Investigation will "handle [the investigation] with integrity".[14]

On May 12, 2015, Dane County District Attorney, Ismael Ozanne, announced that Officer Matt Kenny would not face charges for the shooting of Tony Robinson. The shooting was labeled a "lawful use of deadly police force."[15]

In February, 2017, Robinson's family accepted a $3.35 million settlement from the city, to settle a civil rights lawsuit.[16]

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References
  1. Savidge, Nico. Police tapes: Officers told of battery involving Tony Robinson before shooting. Wisconsin State Journal. March 7, 2015. Retrieved on March 9, 2015.
  2. Berman, Mark (May 12, 2015). "Madison police officer won't be charged for shooting Tony Robinson". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  3. "Wisconsin Activists to Continue Protests After Cop Avoids Charges in Killing of Tony Robinson". Democracy Now!.
  4. "Report of Investigation Officer Involved Death of Tony Terrell Robinson Jr" (PDF).
  5. "The Estate of Robinson EX REL. Irwin v. The City of Madison".
  6. Laughland, Oliver; Sullivan, Zoe (March 13, 2015). "Tony Terrell Robinson was shot dead by Madison police. This is how it happened". theguardian.com. The Guardian. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  7. "Wisconsin Shooting Victim, 19, Was Convicted Last Year For Role In Armed Home Invasion". The Smoking Gun. March 7, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  8. "Officer's past fatal shooting still disturbs victim's family". WKOW. March 13, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  9. Spicuzza, Mary; Glauber, Bill. "Madison DA decides no charges warranted in Robinson shooting". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  10. Beleckis, Jonah (March 8, 2015). "Tony Robinson: Don't forget his name". The Daily Cardinal. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  11. "#StopKillingUs". Black Lives Matter. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  12. Schneider, Pat (March 9, 2015). "UW, high school students fill Capitol rotunda to protest Tony Robinson shooting". The Cap Times. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  13. Fieldstadt, Elisha (March 8, 2015). "Tony Robinson Shooting: Protests Continue in Madison, Wisconsin". NBC News. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  14. Savidge, Nico. Family of Tony Robinson says they have faith in investigation of fatal shooting. Wisconsin State Journal. March 10, 2015. Accessed on March 11, 2015.
  15. M. Alex Johnson (May 12, 2015). "Tony Robinson Shooting: No Charges for Wisconsin Police Officer". nbcnews.com. NBC News. Retrieved May 13, 2015.
  16. "$3.35 million settlement for Wisconsin family of black teen killed by officer".
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