To Yullio Robbins, every day is February 23, 2016. That’s the day that her old life ended and her current reality set in: On that afternoon, her son James Walke III was shot and killed in Germantown.
Investigators have not identified a suspect, despite having a surveillance video showing the gunman running from the scene. James’ case could be solved with assistance from the public, but so far no one has come forward with information that could help.
“I just push through,” Yullio said, comparing the masks we wear to protect against COVID to the figurative mask she has worn every day since James’ death. “It’s hard, but in these five years I’ve gotten stronger. You can’t break and you can’t fold.”
James was 28 years old when he was killed, and he left behind two sons who are now 15 and 13.
After James’ death, Yullio did everything she could think of to spread the word about his unsolved murder: distributing fliers, speaking to the media, taking part in marches against gun violence, helping other families speak out about their cases.
Over these five years, she has witnessed the power of a mother’s love as she’s stood alongside other women who are also fighting to have their children’s cases solved.
“People say the father is the backbone of the family, but not in reality,” Yullio said. “When it comes to death, the mom is the backbone. We carry these children. We go through the pain. We hear their first screams, their first breath of air. It’s a lot that we carry in our hearts, and it’s so, so hurtful. Oh my God, very hurtful.”
She has maintained a good relationship with the detective currently handling James’ case. But without any tips from the public, investigators have little to go on.
In homicide cases, the Citizens Crime Commission offers a reward of $20,000 for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible. Increasing the reward might inspire someone to come forward, but families who want the reward to be increased have to use their own money to do so.
However, a reward is meaningless if witnesses aren’t kept safe, and that’s at the heart of the problem with so many unsolved cases: People who could help are terrified of becoming targets. The promise of anonymity in exchange for information doesn’t seem to be enough.
“Witnesses need more protection,” Yullio said. “There has to be a change within the system itself. Judges need to step in to help us.”
Yullio wants James’ murderer to be caught and convicted, but to her, that is not justice. It’s closure.
She’s praying that someone’s heart will soften and they will come forward. But if that doesn’t happen, she knows what she will do.
“I will close my eyes and say to my son, ‘I’ve done the best I could do. I will meet you on the other side with open arms.’”
The City of Philadelphia is offering up to $20,000 as a reward for anyone that comes forward with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for James’ murder. Anonymous calls can be submitted by calling the Citizens Crime Commission at 215-546-TIPS.
Resources are available for people and communities that have endured gun violence in Philadelphia. Click here for more information.
