Washington Commanders rookie Brian Robinson Jr. was the victim of an attempted robbery in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, where he was shot. According to reports, he was shot multiple times and is now in the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
It’s also reported that Robinson probably saved his own life as he “was able to wrestle a firearm away” from one of the two men attempting to rob him before the other suspect shot him twice, D.C. police said Monday morning.
The injuries are not fatal and according to Robinson, his surgery went well. Robinson posted on his IG story:
“Surgery went well!”
”Thanks for the prayers!”
“God is Great!”
Brian Robinson just posted this on his IG story.
He says his surgery went well. pic.twitter.com/ViYTetYs0r
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) August 29, 2022
The incident is being reported as a possible attempted carjacking, per Metropolitan police spokesman Dustin Sternbeck to NBC Washington. He confirmed that Robinson was the victim, adding that the shooting occurred a little before 6 p.m. Sunday in the 1000 block of H Street NE, a popular weekend corridor in the city. Robinson was shot twice, with at least two bullets striking him in the lower body.
Commanders rookie RB Brian Robinson has been shot multiple times in robbery attempt, per @nbcwashington. Sources tell me it’s non life threatening. Much more to come.
— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) August 28, 2022
Now police are looking for two juveniles with shoulder-length dreadlocks, one described as wearing a black or brown shirt with yellow smiley faces. The now Commanders drafted the 23-year-old Robinson in the third round of the 2022 draft. He has been impressive during the offseason and has been expected to take on a significant role in the offense when the NFL’s regular season starts.
Robinson ran 14 times for 57 yards in the first two Commanders’ preseason games and scored a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 15 yards. He has been treated like the lead running back ever since Antonio Gibson fumbled on his second carry against the Panthers in Week 1 of the preseason. Gibson was essentially demoted to the second-team offense, beginning to practice with special teams regularly.
Although head coach Ron Rivera has yet to directly appoint Robinson running back No. 1, he seems pretty convinced in relation to where he has positioned Gibson.
“I think we still need to see some more stuff, but I think he is (our top kick returner),” Rivera said Thursday. “I do. I think he’s done a nice job. When you watch it on tape, you see him circling the ball, getting under it, making a good catch. It’s something he did well in college, and we’re pretty excited having him do it.”
Robinson played for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2017 to 2021 for five seasons before the Washington Commanders selected him No. 98 overall in the third round of the draft.
While under the auspices of head coach Nick Saban, Robinson became a two-time national champion in 2017 and 2020, making 55 appearances for the Crimson Tide and rushing 545 times for 2,704 yards and 29 touchdowns.
Commanders’ rookie RB Brian Robinson was shot multiple times in an apparent carjacking attempt, as @JPFinlayNBCS reported. The injuries are considered non life threatening.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 28, 2022
During the 2021 season, Robinson had his first triple-digit carries with 271 and more than 1,000 yards rushing with 1,343. He also achieved double-digit touchdowns with 14.
Washington, D.C., has been known to prey on athletes and entertainers both in their prime and on the come-up. Back in October 2005, Harlem rapper, Cam’ron was shot in an attempted carjacking during the Howard University Homecoming festivities. The “Oh Boy” rapper was leaving a party, and while driving in a Lamborghini Gallardo, he was shot while waiting at a red light and drove himself to Howard University Hospital to treat wounds to both his arms.
No word on how long the Commanders running back will be out and how this will affect the team’s future. Robinson was gliding into the No. 1 spot, and now the tragedy might have derailed his early progress with the team.
