PORT RICHEY, Fla. — One year after her son, Christian Robinson, 14, was fatally wounded in a drive-by shooting, Tanya Robinson is working to keep her son’s memory alive.
- Mother of drive-by shooting victim seeks justice
- Christian Robinson was fatally shot on February 14, 2018
- Steven Marin charged with homicide
There are small paintings outside her house memorializing him. She hands out bracelets to his friends that read “#LongLiveChris” and have his birth and death dates written on them. And she shares his story whenever possible.
“It’s a struggle,” Robinson said February 14, the one year mark of the shooting. “I thought it was going to be like every other day because I think about Christian constantly, but it is definitely harder today.”
Christian was in the back seat of a car waiting at the U-turn lane on southbound US-19 near Ridge Crest Drive. Another car was also waiting to turn. According to Pasco County Sheriff’s Office documents, the driver of the car Christian was in turned and the second vehicle followed. Shots were fired from the second vehicle, hitting Christian. The teen died from his injuries on February 17.
“Nobody ever thinks that could happen to you or to someone you love,” said Robinson.
Steven Marin, 27, was arrested about a month later and charged with homicide.
Robinson describes Christian as a fun-loving kid who enjoyed music, spending time with friends, drawing, and making people laugh. He also loved helping people. That’s part of the reason Robinson said she’s comforted knowing that organ donations from Christian helped five people.
“He would’ve wanted to share them to help other people live,” she said.
But there are still questions. Marin’s trial is scheduled to begin July 22, and Robinson said she hopes to get answers about why the shooting happened.
“What was going on in his head and why would he do this to my son?” Robinson said. “I’ll never get full justice because that would be Christian being here with me.”
Robinson said her family will continue to honor her son’s memory. One of the most recent examples came following the birth of her first grandchild. Her daughter gave the baby the middle name “Christian.”