FORT MYERS, Fla. — Seven years after gunfire erupted in a TGI Fridays parking lot, the community remains haunted by the violence that claimed two lives and left a family grappling with their loss. On the evening of October 9, 2018, Kevin Robinson, 56, and his stepson, Javarcia Riggins, were exiting the restaurant following a birthday celebration when chaos ensued. Nearly 50 shots rang out, cutting their lives short before the assailant fled the scene.
For Kevin Smith, the son of Robinson, the pain of that night is still fresh. He vividly recalls receiving the devastating call about his father. “I was told my dad was on the ground and had been shot,” Smith said, his voice trembling. The final words from his father still echo in his mind: “He just told me that he loved me and to take care of his granddaughter,” Smith shared through tears.
Authorities suspect that Riggins was the intended target, with Trish Routte from Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers adding, “Mr. Robinson was clearly an innocent victim.” Despite this assertion, Smith struggles with the notion that his father was merely a casualty of misfortune. “He was there to celebrate his girlfriend’s birthday, and regardless of the targeting, shooting into a parking lot is unacceptable,” Smith emphasized.
Investigators have pursued the case for years but have yet to make any arrests. Routte believes that someone in the community holds crucial information about the identities of the shooters. “Maybe you have a family now, and you realize that the people responsible for this are still out there,” she said, appealing for anyone with knowledge to come forward.
As the years pass, Smith reflects on his life without his father. He has moved forward, raising his four daughters and continuing his father’s landscaping business, yet the emotional void remains. “If justice is served, praise God,” he said. “But I’ll never get my dad back; that hole in my heart will always be there.”
Despite the pain, Smith’s faith has provided him with a measure of solace and the ability to forgive. “I just hope that one day, they’ll come forward,” he stated, expressing a desire for closure.
The investigation into the 2018 shooting continues, and those with information are encouraged to reach out to Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS. Tips can be submitted anonymously, and individuals may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $3,000 if they assist in leading to an arrest.