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Candlelit vigil remembers gun victim Kenwandee Robinson two years on

Photo by Glenn Tucker ¬ Patrice Robinson and the rest of the family of Kenwandee ìWheelsî Robinson, who was fatally shot. File photo.

Two years ago the Island was stunned by the fatal shooting death of Kenwandee (Wheels) Robinson on St Monica’s Road in Pembroke.But last night the community united in love and hope to remember the “funny” and “loving” father who lost his life tragically at aged 27.A moving candlelit vigil took place outside St Monica’s Anglican Church near where Mr Robinson was gunned down as two men on motorbike rode through firing shots as they passed.His mother Karon Robinson said it was both a happy and sad moment and admitted it felt like just yesterday her son was taken from her.“I started out feeling a little sad, but when I heard the young lady singing it lifted my spirits. Even though it was two years ago today it feels like it happened yesterday, but God has made me strong.”Miss Robinson said she felt the love in the atmosphere last night and added: “I feel good. I just miss him so much.”More than 50 people gathered to pay tribute to Mr Robinson through songs and prayer.Community members gathered side by side holding softly lit candles as the night sky turned dark around 9pm.Vigil leader Scott Smith said the event served to uplift family and friends left behind by gun violence and show them “their loved ones are not forgotten”.He said: “This area has been affected by the deaths of Kumi Harford, Wheels and Perry Puckerin. We feel we have to come back to the neighbours and let people know we won’t forget them.”Mr Robinson was the first in the wave of shooting deaths to plague the Island. In total another 15 lives have been lost since then the latest being Jason Smith, 22, who died in the early hours of May 1.Mr Robinson died while in best friend Mickey Adam’s arms; and left behind girlfriend Laneh Simmons and son La’Naiye, now aged four.Police arrested three men in connection with the shooting, but no one has yet been brought to justice for his death.Last night’s vigil was the eighth held by Colford’s Family Against Violence, a group set up in the wake of Colford Ferguson’s shooting death on February 4 this year.Mr Ferguson’s cousin Keona Smith said she would continue to organise such events “until the violence stops”.“It’s actually just to get the message out to stop the violence. I know everyone is hurting and a lot of family’s hearts are feeling pain.“It’s good to try and get them to see it’s more than just their family that is suffering it’s all of Bermuda, it’s all of us.”The group will next weekend pay tribute to Dekimo “Purple” Martin who was shot three times in the chest while outside his Somerset home early on the morning of May 28 last year.