Amari Cooper already had her cap and gown for February’s graduation ceremony for students at West Charlotte High School. Her mother, Norfolk native Shante Robinson, however, is preparing to bury the daughter who leaves behind a 2-year-old daughter. Cooper was only 3-years-old when her mother left Norfolk for a new start in the Queen City.
Friday night, Cooper — who loved ones called Mari — and her younger sister left home for a mom-approved Halloween party. Loved ones say shortly after the two sisters and another girl arrived by car, someone opened fire.
“When they got to the party and got out of the car and were walking towards the house, there were a lot of gunshots,” Shante Robinson said. “They all started running and hiding behind trees and mailboxes, and they looked back, and Mari fell in a ditch. The other girls went to go help her, and she was unconscious — they thought she was unconscious.”
According to a police report, around 12:30 Saturday morning, officers responded to Old Plank Road in north Charlotte, where they found Cooper suffering from a gunshot wound. She was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The sister who survived remains traumatized.
“She thought her sister was unconscious,” said Shante Robinson. “She really wasn’t. And she was actually dying in her arms.”
A web of loved ones in Hampton Roads is now dealing with immeasurable pain. Michael Robinson, Amari Cooper’s grandfather, says another teenager pulled the trigger.
“Have a heart, turn yourself in,” Michael Robinson said. “You did a man’s job or a cowardly job. Be a man and face the facts.”
“I just want whoever did this or whoever knows who did this [to know] I’m gonna get justice,” Shante Robinson said. “I know so many people that love my daughter. I don’t think that she even knew there are so many people that loved my daughter.”
Charlotte police have not released any details on a suspect or motive.
Shante Robinson is now caring for her 2-year-old grandchild. A Newport News-based woman has established a GoFundMe account to help with funeral and other expenses.
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