Those who knew Carl Robinson Jr., a junior from Tallulah, La. knew him for his smile and warm hugs. He was definitely helpful and very loved.
“It’s very rare that you find some- body who was everybody’s friend,” said Dana Howard, director of Residential Life. “He never had anything bad to say about anyone.”
On Dec. 6th, Grambling State University gained a new angel. Carl Robinson fatally burned to death in his truck in a fiery accident.
His friend and co-worker, Aresneaux Robinson, a senior elementary education major from Pittsburg, Penn. was a passenger. He was pulled from the car and airlifted to Shreveport’s hospital. According to a report from KTBS TV, Carl Robinson was pronounced dead at the scene after his vehicle ran off the road, flipped multiple times and burst into flames.
Jasmine Swayzer, a junior criminal Justice major from Winnsboro, La. was friends with Carl. Still on campus due to training to become a resident assistant, she found out about the accident 20 minutes after it occurred. Another residential asisstant called her and asked her did she just hear about Carl just being in an accident.
“I said no,” said Swayzer. “My co-worker then told me she heard he died, so I called my other friend and Ms. Barfield, and they confirmed that is was true.”
Howard called Robinson’s parents and informed them that Carl was in an accident and they needed to come down.
Once arriving they were taken into a small setting with GSU Interim President Dr. Cynthia Warrick, GSU Interim Police Chief Gene Caviness and the City of Grambling’s Police Chief Tommy Clark to be told the news. Of all those touched by Robinson’s tragic death, the residential life, which Robinson was a residential assistant for, will truly miss his friendly sprit.
“I’ll miss him stopping by in my office just to say ‘Hey Ms. Howard. How are you?’” said Howard.
After the accident, other residential assistants were offered counseling services.
“I don’t really have a feeling about it,” said Swayzer, “I still don’t believe it happened. I know it happened but I’m still numb and in disbelief he was in an accident.”
There was a moment of silence that dedicated to Robinson during graduation.
“I will miss his laugh, his smile and most of all those pretty white teeth,” said Swayzer. “I will also miss those jokes. He knew how to make you laugh, and that was just him.”