RICHMOND, Va. — A man was sentenced to 43 years in prison for killing a young father at a GRTC busstop in front of Richmond City Hall in March 2024.
The murder happened during the morning commute and the victim, 33-year-old Vincent Robinson Jr., was seemingly picked at random, according to prosecutors.
Johnathan Jackson was convicted of first-degree murder and use of a firearm. The sentence he received was above the recommended guidelines, which prosecutors asked for because of the circumstances.
"I don't know that we'll ever know the true explanation in this case" Brooke Petit, assistant Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney, said. "I think we can just be happy that Mr. Jackson is off the streets."
Prosecutors said Jackson had gotten into a fight with a coworker at Children's Hospital on March 7, 2024, and was sent home. They said when he was told he couldn't come in the next day, but the other person was allowed to -- he put on an "outfit to commit murder" -- covering his face, getting a gun, and heading to the bus stop -- where he waited for his coworker and planned to kill him.
But when that coworker didn't show up, prosecutors said he picked Robinson, who happened to be walking by at the time, at random. They said surveillance video at the bus stop showed that Jackson shot and killed Robinson within 18 seconds of the two meeting before calmly walking off. He was arrested several weeks later.
"I'm glad that he has the sentence that he has because he's never going to be able to walk on the streets again," Shante Jackson, Robinson's mother, said.
Shante Jackson remembered her son as a "very smart" and "quiet young man."
"Even now that it's, I guess, over, it still doesn't make sense, like, I still can't understand why it happened," Shaketa Greene, Robinson's aunt, said. "Like I understand, OK, you were mad. You're having a bad day. We all have bad days."
Prosecutors said Jackson made up a story that Robinson threatened him and flashed a knife, but said surveillance video showed Robinson's hands in the air showing he wasn't a threat.
Jackson repeated that story when given a chance to speak and said he was acting in defense but had remorse for Robinson's family.
"That wasn't an apology. That was just him wanting to stand and say something," Shante Jackson said. "That was nowhere near an apology. That was mad -- him upset because he got caught."
Robinson's family said he leaves behind many loved ones, including an 11-year-old son.
"He's doing OK, but grief is really setting in for him," Tiara Edwards, the boy's mother said. "He's more closed off now, instead of being the happy kid that he is."
Robinson's mom said she is now focused on carrying on her son's legacy and making sure his name's never forgotten -- adding if she could have just one more conversation with him --
"I miss my hugs. I miss him calling and getting on my nerves for just anything," Shante Jackson said. "I just miss him. I miss him a lot."
Along with the active 43-year sentence Jackson was given, he also had another 20 years suspended for life. That means if he ever reoffends when he is released he could then have to serve those as well.
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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