MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Whitehaven High School football player was killed during a shooting at a local gas station Thursday afternoon.
WREG’s Jonee Lewis spoke with head coach Rodney Saulsberry on Friday who confirmed one of his seniors named Demetrius Robinson had died. He wouldn’t provide an official statement saying he needed to be there for his players at this time.
Later Friday afternoon, Whitehaven High School tweeted a link to a funeral fund created by the staff to support Robinson’s burial expenses.
The Shelby County Schools Board of Education released a statement on Robinson’s death, saying in part, “When our students, families, and employees grieve, we grieve alongside them. To stand beside a family in pain and simply offer condolences is heartbreaking because we cannot take the hurt away.” The full statement is available below.
According to police, Robinson was at the Marathon gas station in the area of Elvis Presley and Whitaker drive when he was shot. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
Community leaders say it is time to stop the violence and start speaking up for those like Robinson who can no longer speak for themselves.
“We will grieve through this, but we also need to wrap our arms around the family,” said Harold Collins with the Shelby County Office of Reentry. “We need to wrap our arms around our children. We need to wrap our arms collectively around our city and let them know this will not stop us.”
Authorities said two black males were seen fleeing the scene in a black Infiniti.
If you know anything about this case, call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.
