A man was fatally shot Monday while live streaming on Facebook, just after he left the Wingate Police Department in North Carolina.
Using a selfie stick and some type of recording mobile device, Prentis Robinson was talking to the camera about how his phone was stolen while talking a stroll. He stopped by the local police station to discuss the alleged theft with Chief Donnie Gay, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Gay even contributed to the Facebook Live broadcast, saying, “bring his phone back so he can get on with his way today.”
Soon after departing the police department, Robinson was accosted by someone who was, for the most part, off-camera. Robinson seemed to try to notify the other person that he was filming by saying “you on live.” Eventually, during and immediately following an apparent tumble and some commotion, a vague black object can be seen and several shots heard.
Robinson’s live-streaming device ended up on the ground, still recording the trees in the distance. The video is no longer available to view on Robinson’s profile, where live streams can usually be viewed and are ultimately placed upon the completion of broadcast. His account has already been memorialized.
The suspect, who is wanted for murder, turned himself in, according to local reporter Greg Suskin of WSOC9.
Breaking —Wingate murder suspect Douglas Colson has turned himself in to police to face charges in the shooting death of Prentis Robinson. pic.twitter.com/cWRGRoUCH7
— Greg Suskin (@GSuskinWSOC9) February 27, 2018
“That just unreal,” Charles Baker, a friend of Robinson’s for more than 30 years, told WSOC9. “For somebody to have that kind of heart to just walk out in the open like that and kill a man, that’s just, it’s nonsense.”
Both Wingate University and Wingate Elementary were placed on lockdown during the aftermath of the homicide.
Wingate authorities reportedly warned that the suspect was armed with a long gun. (RELATED: Man Murders Infant Daughter, Kills Self On Facebook Live)
Wingate, THIS IS NOT A DRILL!!!
Do not go outside. Stay in your room. pic.twitter.com/HH2qF1rOg1
— Ryan Brown (@__RyanBrown__) February 26, 2018
Update on lockdown:
Wingate Police report suspect armed with a long gun. Police description: black male, blue and black windbreaker, brown Timberland boots. Law enforcement is posted on campus. Suspect last seen on Jerome Street, south of US 74 across from campus entrance.— Wingate University (@WingateUniv) February 26, 2018
After a brief period of time, campus activities resumed as normal, aside from the fact that there was an increased police presence.(RELATED: Chicago Woman Live Streams Escape After Boyfriend, Two-Year-Old Toddler Shot To Death [VIDEO])
While local law enforcement remains on campus, they have advised the University to lift the campuswide lockdown. The University resumes normal operations immediately. We will provide updates as they become available.
— Wingate University (@WingateUniv) February 26, 2018
Robinson often worked with local law enforcement in “outing” suspected drug dealers in the area, according to Fox46. Gay reportedly said that he thought Robinson would be beat up for his work, but not shot and killed.
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