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Brooklyn Officials Rage Against Yoseph Robinson's Death
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Aug 23, 2010
Modified Aug 23, 2010
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By
Jaya Saxena
Published Aug 23, 2010
Modified Aug 23, 2010
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[UPDATE BELOW]
Family and friends will gather for the funeral slain liquor store clerk Yoseph (or Yosef) Robinson, who was shot during a robbery in Midwood, later today. The drug dealer turned devout Orthodox Jew inspired leaders of both the black and Jewish communities across the city, as well as numerous Brooklyn officials. City Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-Brooklyn) yelled to Robinson's still-faceless killer, "This type of person can bridge communities, and you killed him! He's gone!" Councilman Mike Nelson (D-Brooklyn) agreed, saying, "You killed so many people by killing Yoseph. He was a bridge between two great communities."
Robinson credited Orthodox Judaism with saving him from a life of crime, and died attempting to stop a gunman at MB Vineyards wine shop from taking his girlfriend's bracelet. He was shot multiple times in the chest and arm. Community leaders mourned his death, saying he was a recognizable character whom everyone loved. Chaim Deutsch of Flatbush Shomrim said, "Everybody has enemies and, Yoseph, you don't find that one person that has anything bad to say about him. Only a person that's an angel doesn't have enemies like Yoseph."
State Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn) and Councilman David Greenfield (D-Brooklyn) said they will contribute $6,000 to the $12,000 reward offered for information on the killer. Robinson will be buried in his birth country of Jamaica, next to his grandmother. One friend said, “Yoseph Robinson was proud to be a Jew. He was proud to be a Jamaican, and he never let either aspect of his personality overshadow the other one."
[UPDATE] Jason Gordon, a spokesman for Councilman David Greenfield, said the reward is now $18,000, with $5,000 coming from Councilman Greenfield.
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