At a young age, Cameron Robertson decided he didn’t want to work for anyone.
So, as a teenager, he became a serial entrepreneur, first selling T-shirts outside of concerts and sports venues. Over the next several years, his business ventures kept pace with his dreams.
“He was very goal-driven,” said his sister, Kristen Robertson. “If he said he was going to do something, he would do it. Not only would he execute his goals, he’d also bring people in and show them how to execute their own dreams. That’s what I admired most about my brother.”
On Aug. 1, 2016, he finished work at his auto repair and body shop shop around 5 p.m., went down the street to talk to a group of friends, then was shot as he walked to his car. He was 26 years old. No arrests have been made.
Kristen and Cameron, who were four years apart in age, had a tight bond.
“What I miss most about him is the way we could be in a room full of unfamiliar people, and he and I could meet eyes and automatically know what the other is thinking,” she said. “In any situation I’m in, I’m still looking for him.”
Cameron was born March 1, 1990 in Virginia and was the youngest of five siblings. His family returned to their hometown of Philadelphia when he was young and made their home in the Olney area.
Cameron graduated from Delaware Valley Charter High School in 2007, then continued his education at Cheyney University, where he earned a degree in business.
He enrolled in City Year after college and served as a classroom aide at Universal Audenreid Charter High School. He further developed his leadership skills and tapped into resources through that program, and when he was finished his service, he began a cleaning business. He had contracts with apartment buildings around the city and hired people from the neighborhood.
Before long, he set his sights on a bigger goal — opening an auto repair and body shop despite having no experience in the field. He was 23 years old.
“He did his research and saw there was a demand for it,” Kristen said. “He learned the business after he actually got into the business.”
She added: “Cameron also believed in God and just knew that as long as he put himself full force into something, something good has to come from it.”
Dependable Automotive Repair on Stenton Avenue in West Oak Lane was going well. Cameron hired local kids to help out around the garage, but the child he wanted to spend the most time with was his daughter Riley, who is now 5.
“Being a father changed him to the point that he realized he no longer lived for himself, he lived for his little girl,” she said. “Ultimately it made him want to build on his business to provide for her.”
Cameron worked a lot of long hours, but the end game was in sight: His goal was to open a second auto repair location, and he also planned on opening two barber shops. Then, by age 30, once all of his ventures were performing successfully, he intended on taking a step back from the daily grind so he could enjoy life with his daughter.
He would never get that chance.
“Everyone was proud of him,” Kristen said. “We’re still proud of him. He’s no longer here, but his legacy lives on.”
“I miss my brother. I miss him, I do. I miss him so much,” she continued. “Things won’t ever be the same. I just don’t see how this could happen to someone like him, someone who did everything right and who did so much good for the community and his family and friends. Why? On top of that, there’s no justice.”
The City of Philadelphia is offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible. Anyone with information is urged to call the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
