Eighteen-Year-Old Kylee Robinson Shot and Killed in Laurel: Funeral Held for Victim

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Laurel High School Mourns Second Student Funeral of the Year

Laurel, United Kingdom – In a tragic turn of events, the auditorium at Laurel High School was once again filled with mourners as they gathered to bid farewell to another student. Eighteen-year-old Kylee Robinson, a student at the school, was fatally shot on the afternoon of October 29. The incident occurred on the porch of a home located in the 500 block of W. Seventh Street in Laurel.

The somber funeral service was attended by a large number of people, including family, friends, and members of the community. Kylee’s mother, Danielle Hammond, delivered an emotional tribute, reading a poem she had written for her beloved son. “There’s no way you should be going away, and those who have harmed you will have justice to pay,” she said, her voice filled with grief. “The reality is my baby will never return.”

To ensure the safety of all attendees, a significant presence of law enforcement personnel, including police officers and constables, stood guard at the school during the funeral.

The incident that claimed Kylee’s life also left two other male teenagers injured. A 13-year-old and a 15-year-old were shot during the incident. As per the latest update from Delaware State Police, one of the injured teens has been treated and released from the hospital, while the other remains hospitalized but in stable condition.

Authorities have yet to provide any information about the suspects involved in the shooting, and no arrests have been made in connection with the incident. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.

Dorcilla Jean-Francois, who claimed to be a family member of Kylee Robinson, also spoke at the funeral, expressing her frustration with the prevailing gun violence. “I’m sick and tired of the gun violence. I’m sick and tired of watching the parents and the children… go through so much pain and agony,” she lamented. “A coward uses weapons to take the life of someone. A coward.”

Sadly, Kylee Robinson’s death marks the third homicide in Laurel this year. The town has witnessed more gun-related fatalities than any other Sussex County town in 2023. Prior to this year, Laurel had only experienced one homicide, a stabbing, in the last five years.

The funeral served as a stark reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in Laurel and its devastating impact on the community. Efforts to address this pressing concern and ensure the safety of residents are being intensified by local authorities.

In memory of Kylee Robinson, heartfelt memorial cards were distributed at the funeral, a poignant reminder of the life lost and the void left behind. The grieving community is left grappling with a sense of loss and an urgent need for change.

The tragic loss of another promising young life echoes an earlier incident that occurred on April 14, when 18-year-old Corey Mumford, also a student at Laurel High School, was fatally shot outside the Wexford Village apartments. The authorities have clarified that Mumford was not the intended target, and three individuals have been arrested and charged with his murder.

Another distressing incident occurred on September 10, when 26-year-old Taylor German was shot and killed outside the Little Creek apartments. German was in a vehicle with two other individuals, one of whom sustained injuries but survived. No arrests have been made in connection with her case thus far.

The string of tragic events underscores the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the issue of gun violence in Laurel. Efforts to track and monitor gun-related incidents in Delaware have been initiated through a dedicated database, shedding light on the extent of this pressing concern.

As the community mourns the loss of Kylee Robinson, the grief-stricken mother, Danielle Hammond, made a heartfelt plea to the attendees of her son’s funeral. Standing on the stage of the Laurel High School auditorium, she implored, “Don’t let your mom have to stand up here and be strong for you. We gotta stop having moms up here, going home and can’t take their babies with them.”

The tragic loss of young lives in Laurel serves as a painful reminder of the urgent need for a collective effort to address gun violence and its devastating consequences. The community is left grappling with grief, seeking solace, and striving for a safer future.

Shannon Marvel McNaught, a reporter covering Sussex County and beyond, contributed to this article. For inquiries, contact her at smcnaught@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught..