Vigil For Seattle High School Senior Killed In Drive-By Shooting

The site of Sunday's shooting in Seattle's Beacon Hill neighborhood has turned into a shrine and gathering place for people remembering Robert Robinson, Jr. KUOW's John Ryan reports.

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The 17-year-old senior at Cleveland High School was killed in a drive-by shooting Sunday afternoon.

At a vigil Tuesday, mourners said Robinson was a good kid, who was happy to be graduating in a few months.

Neighbors said they don't think of the corner of 15th Avenue South and South Forest Street as a dangerous spot. They called the killing "senseless."

Dev Wilturner is Robinson's cousin.

Wilturner: "It ain't right. He wasn't out here gang bangin', selling dope, carry[ing] a gun. He did not live by the gun, did not deserve to die by the gun. It ain't right."

Michael Gebrekristos was Robinson's case worker in Seattle's Youth Violence Prevention Initiative.

Gebrekristos: "He was a good kid, man, like, a really good kid. He'd see me in public with his friends and walk up to me and be like, 'Yo, Mike! How are you doing?' He'd show you how much he cared about you in front of anybody. I'm just going to miss him, you know?"

Angela Davis lives in the Rainier Valley. She serves on the African-American community council that advises the Seattle Police Department.

Davis: "Our young people should not have to grow up thinking this is business as usual. It is not business as usual. It is not okay. Another life is gone. This should be the beginning of the end."

Robinson's father came to the service. He didn't speak, but he brought a poem to be read. Tears streamed down his face as a group of ministers laid hands on him and prayed. He then walked home alone.

Cleveland High School will hold a vigil at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at the school.