Daniel Robinson and Shakeya Johnson were at Franklin Mills last year when he told her, “Get whatever you want.”
She had never met a man so kind and generous, and it made her nervous.
“I’m hesitating like crazy,” Shakeya said. “I didn’t want to get anything too expensive. At the register I’m trying to take out my money to pay and he paid for everything. I was crying because I’ve never had that.”
The couple had met through Shakeya’s mother, and right away she saw that Daniel was different from other guys. He truly cared about her, and he didn’t hesitate to show it. He’d do things like meet her when she got off work and make sure she got home safely, and he helped with her children, who are 5, 6, 9 and 15. He asked her how her day was, which was new Shakeya.
Shakeya and Daniel
“He was the first boyfriend I’ve ever experienced real love with, and I have four kids,” she said. “My sons loved him. He came into our lives and turned things around.”
Daniel was planning a trip to Miami for Shakeya’s birthday in October, but they’d never make the trip. Daniel was shot and killed Oct. 23, 2020 in the 1700 block of North 31st Street. Police have not made any arrests.
Since Daniel has been gone, Shakeya has been sleeping in the living room because she keeps hoping he’ll come through the door.
“You always wish for this perfect guy to come into your life and you finally get it, and it was like a fairy tale,” she said. “It felt too good to be real. I still can’t accept the fact that he won’t be coming back.”
Daniel was born Nov. 29, 1986 and grew up at 31st and Berks. He was very close to his mother, his two sisters and his daughter.
Daniel and Shakeya met in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. He was an essential worker and was employed at two restaurants in Center City. While he loved nothing more than putting on a sharp outfit and getting drinks, they were content to stay home together, making TikTok dance videos and washing Shakeya’s hair.
Every morning on his way to his job on Walnut Street, he’d talk to his sister on the phone and stop by a food truck for a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich. He was laid back and patient, and rarely got upset.
“He never let anything get to him,” Shakeya said. “You would do nothing but laugh with him. I don’t understand how anyone could kill him? How could you not love a person like him?”
Daniel and his daughter
While their relationship felt to Shakeya like it was too good to be true, it was true. She cherishes all of the memories they made and she grieves what could have been.
“I feel so empty and alone. That was my happiness. That was my family,” she said. “I wish I could get more time with him.”
Resources are available for people and communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Click here for more information.
A reward of up to $20,000 is available to anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the persons responsible for Daniel’s murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS or the Philadelphia Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334.
Date: 2020-10-23
Location: 1700 N 31st St, Philadelphia, PA
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