The West End neighborhood of Ferguson, MO, has become the focal point of a homicide investigation following the discovery of a man found dead on a sidewalk last week. The victim has been since identified as 29-year-old Roland Robinson, adding a deeply personal dimension to the statistics of violence that touch too many communities across the nation.
Homicide detectives are piecing together the events that led to Robinson’s death after he was found in the 5600 block of Chamberlain shortly before 6:40 a.m. last Monday. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department reported that Robinson was suffering from a severe laceration to his arm, and other undisclosed injuries to his torso.
Responding emergency medical services pronounced Robinson dead at the scene. The nature of this incident underlines the urgent narrative of loss that too often unfolds on American sidewalks – where lives are summarily snuffed out, and communities are left searching for answers and solace. The official cause of death is pending, awaiting the results of an investigation by the Medical Examiner’s Office…