Jaylin L. Robinson, a 23-year-old Black man from Fort Wayne, Indiana, was known for his charismatic personality and his love for music and sports. On the evening of Saturday, September 28, 2019, his life was cut short in a sudden act of violence in a bar parking lot.
That night, Jaylin drove his dark blue Chevrolet Impala to the Broadway Grill, located at 1420 Broadway, just south of downtown Fort Wayne. He arrived and entered the parking lot, where he approached a group of men. Surveillance video from the establishment captured the moments that followed. Jaylin was seen interacting with a man later identified as Michael O. Anderson Jr. The two appeared to shake hands, a seemingly cordial gesture that belied the violence to come.
Without warning, Anderson extended his arms, drew a firearm, and began shooting at Jaylin. As Jaylin fell, Anderson continued to fire while backing away before turning and fleeing the scene.
Police were called to the Broadway Grill on a report of shots fired. They arrived to find Jaylin lying face down in the parking lot behind the bar. He had been shot at least seven times, with at least one bullet striking him in the back. Despite the efforts of first responders, Jaylin Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Fort Wayne Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation. Detectives utilized the surveillance footage, which showed the shooter wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and maroon pants with a white stripe. Though the shooting itself was not perfectly captured, the video showed people scattering in the aftermath. Two officers who viewed the footage recognized the fleeing suspect as Michael O. Anderson Jr. from previous encounters in the community. Multiple witnesses also came forward and identified Anderson as the shooter.
A police K9 unit was instrumental in tracking the suspect's path, locating discarded clothing that matched what the gunman wore in the video. Forensic testing on these items revealed the presence of Anderson’s DNA, providing a crucial link to the crime. About a month after the killing, investigators served an arrest warrant to the 22-year-old Anderson at the Allen County Jail, where he was already being held on an unrelated parole violation. He was subsequently charged with murder.
In January 2023, the case against Michael O. Anderson Jr. went to trial in Allen Superior Court. Prosecutors presented the jury with the compelling evidence, including the surveillance video, DNA analysis, and witness testimony. While incarcerated, Anderson had also made three phone calls in which he expressed worry about being recognized by police and asked the people he called not to cooperate with the investigation. The jury found Anderson guilty of murder and an additional charge for using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
Following his conviction, Michael O. Anderson Jr. was sentenced to 80 years in prison. He later appealed his conviction and sentence, arguing that the evidence was insufficient and that the near-maximum sentence was inappropriate. In January 2024, the Indiana Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's decision, finding no merit to his arguments. The appellate judges noted the egregious nature of the crime, stating, “Anderson shot and struck Robinson seven times, including at least one shot to Robinson’s back, all while in a public place with several people nearby.” The conviction and 80-year sentence were upheld, and the case is now considered closed.
