Still No Clues in Gay Club Owner's Killing

A week has passed since Atlanta Black Gay Pride, but local police continue to look for suspects and a motive behind popular club promoter Durand Robinson's murder.

Robinson, 50, was shot and killed in southwest Atlanta early on Aug. 25. A local resident found him lying in the middle of Hadlock Street with a gunshot wound to the chest.

As a managing partner of Traxx Atlanta, a gay party and promotions company located in Decatur, Robinson often drew major celebrities to his events. And this year's Pride weekend was no different-Nicki Minaj, Ciara, Vivica A. Fox and Amber Rose all performed at Traxx Atlanta's parties.

Traxx Atlanta was to kick off Pride with Robinson's birthday celebration on Thursday, Sept. 2, but friends and family instead attended a candlelight vigil on Aug. 28 to remember their friend who was known for his smile and for the way he supported and helped people.

"Durand was an angel that was not in disguise," recalled Phillip Boone, friend and owner of Traxx Atlanta. "Durand was the type of guy that would see someone on the side of the road, and he would be the first to stop and help. You never know how valuable people are until they're gone."

Boone had been with Robinson at a meeting to prepare for their upcoming club parties roughly an hour before he was found dead. "He was looking forward to this year's Pride to be the biggest Black Pride," recalled Boone. "Of course, we miss him."

Boone and Robinson knew each other for 30 years and not only saw each other on a regular basis but talked regularly. Boone recalled the way Robinson would always end their telephone conversations. "Before he'd hang up, he'd say, 'Hey Phillip, Happy Birthday' or 'Merry Christmas'," he said. "For him, everyday you wake up was special and birthdays and Christmas shouldn't be one day a week but every day."

Robinson, who was not believed to be gay, was greatly missed at this year's Pride. His Facebook page includes posthumous birthday wishes and it continues to receive posts from friends' who missed him at various events. Many are still in disbelief over his death.

His quote on his Facebook wall corresponds with way Robinson has been described: "I love people and like making people happy. 'Treat people the way that you would like to be treated.' I love peace. 'No drama, please.' The children are our future."

BG of BG Promotions, who also worked with Robinson to promote various parties, could not believe someone killed Robinson. The two had a working relationship as well as a friendship for the past 12 years.

"He was a really good guy," said BG. "He was the most free hearted person I know. I never saw him mad or angry."

Although Raymond Duke, president of In the Life Atlanta, the official sponsor of Atlanta Black Gay Pride, didn't know Robinson personally, he said they worked with club promoters in the city to promote various Pride-affiliated parties. Duke is hopeful people look at Robinson's life and the lives he touched and will follow in his footsteps.

"To keep his legacy going, everybody needs to treat each other better, and hopefully that's what we get from this," he added. "We need to continue to look to one another, support each other and allow tolerance."

Plans to establish a foundation in Robinson's name are in the works.