Robert Wilson was killed on a winter afternoon at a North Philadelphia strip mall, and if that were the end of the story it would be tragic. But it’s not the end. Not by a long shot.
Wilson was a police officer, and the father of two children ages 1 and nearly 9. It was thoughts of his son, whose birthday was approaching, that brought Wilson to the Gamestop at 22nd and Lehigh. But it was thoughts of the rest of us that cost Robert Wilson his life.
When two armed men entered the store and announced a robbery, Wilson engaged them in a gun battle, and even when their bullets wounded him, he fired back, he did his job, and he died standing up for what’s right.
Two brothers, Ramone Williams, 24, and Carlton Hipps, 29, have been charged with murder and related offenses in Wilson’s death. Hipps was on parole for robbery, and his younger brother had a record for assault, Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey told reporters after the shooting.
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Solomon Jones is an Essence bestselling author and award-winning columnist. He is the creator and editor of Solomonjones.com and morning host on 900 am WURD radio. Click here to learn more about Solomon
