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Features
Mother Fears For Her Son’s Safety After Shooting
Jefferson High Players Get Proclamation From Commissioner Miller
The basketball players at Jefferson High School were recognized on Wednesday, March 18, 2015, during the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners Meeting. Commissioner Les Miller presented the Proclamation to the team, coaches, principal and athletic director.
Pictured on the front row: Principal, Van Ayres; Asst. Coach Dion Thomas, Vernon Jackson, Patrick Scott, Head Coach Eric Hayes, Tim Green, Shephon Lofton, Octavious Williams and Athletic Director, Bernard Cannon. In the rear, Matthew Sharpe, DeAndre Damanze, Altorian Salary, Jackie Moore, Cameron Padgett, Commissioner Les Miller, Maurice Moore, Maliq Lawrence, Eugene Thomas and Taj Jenkins. Not pictured, Cesar Delatorre.
Comm. Miller’s aide Alphanette Jenkins has a son on the team. (Photograph by BRUNSON)
On December 27, 2014, Devontae Robinson was walking along a sidewalk in front of his house when he was shot four times in a drive- by. At the time of the shoot- ing, there were several small children outside of the home, and some of them witnessed the shooting.
Although Tampa Police ar- rested 18-year-old Navares Boyd in the shooting, De- vontae’s mother, Sharon Robinson, said she’s upset.
“What really has us all liv- ing in fear is a group of boys came by my house and offered Devontae money to not tes- tify in court against the person who shot him.”
Ms. Robinson said since her son’s shooting, his photo has been put in a photo pack as a suspect in a shooting where two people allegedly identified him as the shooter, including the victim.
“As it turned out the al- leged victim was a family member, and said he never said Devontae shot him.
“Devontae is scared to go outside for fear of being shot again. He’s also afraid for the rest of us, because none of us know what’s going to happen when we step outside, espe- cially with all the shootings that have been going on.”
DEVONTAE ROBINSON
Ms. Robinson said it was only by the Grace of God that Devontae wasn’t seriously wounded after the shooting, although he’s still in a lot of pain, and has been going through a lot of mental pain.
“He’s changed a lot since he was shot. Sometimes he’s angry and sometimes he’s just scared. It’s all confusing, be- cause I don’t know what to say to him at times. All we can do is to continue to show him love, and watch out for him.
“Although the person who shot him is in jail, that doesn’t mean the danger is over. We feel there are people out there determined to stop him from testifying in court.”
Ms. Robinson said her community has drawn closer since her son’s shooting, and she hopes it will stay that way.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 2015