Fort Worth woman awaits news of arrests in nephew’s murder, father’s cold case murder
Jimmie Griffin’s murder echoed for his aunt.
Griffin, 30, was found on an east Fort Worth sidewalk in the 5900 block of Oakland Hills Drive on April 29, dead from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest.
Family members believe Griffin was robbed when he was killed, said Griffin’s aunt, Verleeta Brooks.
Griffin was developmentally disabled, she said. He was headed back after making a trip to the store for his mother, who is disabled and can’t walk, when he was shot and killed, Brooks said.
Several shell casings were found near the body, according to police reports.
“He (Griffin) had $50 when he left,” Brooks said. “Witnesses said there was a red (Dodge) Charger or Challenger that left the scene.”
Griffin’s job was taking care of his mother, according to Brooks. His fun was playing basketball, she said.
“He (Griffin) didn’t have any enemies,” Brooks said. “He was just really easy-going. He just wanted to take care of his mom.”
About 16 years ago, L.J. Robinson, Brooks’ father, was found dead inside his apartment at 5048 Ave. G, police say. It was later determined that Robinson, who was also known as “Pops”, died from blunt-force trauma to the head on April 7, 2004, according to the ruling from the Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office. He was 83. The investigation revealed Robinson was a robbery victim, according to police.
As of Wednesday, no arrest had been made in either case, according to investigators.
Police said there have been people rumored to be suspects in the Robinson murder, but no suspect was seen fleeing the crime scene and detectives cannot name anyone as a suspect at this time.
Police say they are still seeking information in the case.
“There are people that have knowledge of this offense that have yet to give that information,” according to police. “Any information they can provide would be helpful.”
Like in the Robinson case, police are still seeking information and investigating Griffin’s murder.
Brooks said she read about the shooting before she discovered her nephew was the person who was shot. It took a call from her sister, who was notified after investigators fingerprinted Griffin, to help her put together the news story with her relative, Brooks said.
Brooks said she does not want Griffin’s file to grow cold like her father’s investigation grew cold. Brooks still has questions about her father’s murder concerning whether detectives checked all the evidence that was available.
“I know they are looking for someone,” Brooks said. “I just want justice to be done. I just want all the violence to stop.”
Anyone with information concerning either one of these deaths should call police at 817-392-4222.
