Detroit high school basketball coach, 70, fatally shoots teen in attempted robbery, police say

By: Crimesider Staff
Topics: Daily Blotter

A 70-year-old basketball coach allegedly shot and killed a would-be teen robber outside King High School (above) in Detroit

/ Detroit Public Schools

(AP) DETROIT - Detroit police say a 70-year-old high school basketball coach shot and killed a teenager during an attempted robbery outside the school.

Police spokeswoman Officer Cassandra Lewis says assistant girls' basketball coach Ernest Robinson was accosted by two males Friday evening, Feb. 1, while walking with two team members outside King High School.

Lewis says the males announced a robbery and struggled with Robinson, who pulled a handgun and fired. She says Robinson is a reserve police officer and licensed to carry a concealed pistol.

Detroit Schools' spokesman Steve Wasko says 16-year-old Michael Scott was killed and an unnamed 15-year-old was wounded. Scott's mother has told reporters her son did not have a gun.

Prosecutors were reviewing the case Wednesday to determine whether to file charges.

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by JMG4314 February 7, 2013 10:19 PM EST: This outcome needs to happen more often in my opinion. As soon as they attempted to rob him lethal force should always be acceptable. Who the heck are they to want to take what is not rightfully theirs?; Reply to this comment


by raymailhot February 7, 2013 8:07 PM EST: Being a little bit older, I can guarantee you it is not going to be much of a fair fight when it comes to fighting healthy young people. Older people don't have the stamina for a fair fight. I have to go with the coach on this!; Reply to this comment

by andie52 February 7, 2013 12:31 PM EST

I'm all for the coach protecting himself and his companions. But, were these two boys retreating when he fired the shots? There exist a fine line between self defense and administering street justice. I hope the coach was correct in his assessment!

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by JMG4314 February 7, 2013 10:16 PM EST: I don't know you tell us.


by Amanda2485 February 7, 2013 12:19 PM EST: Good for the 70 year old coach, protecting himself and the other innocent teens! He definitely should not be charged, for what? Saving his own life and not letting two criminals get the best of him, if I was licensed to carry and they tried to rob me I would have shot them both also!; Reply to this comment


by GoldenBear55 February 7, 2013 10:11 AM EST: Some punk picking on an elderly 'victim' gets what he deserves...good shot, coach.; Reply to this comment


by eyemall2010 February 6, 2013 8:56 PM EST: Police sources tell 7 Action News that a women's basketball coach from Martin Luther King, Jr. Senior High School shot two men who attacked him as he was walking two basketball players to their cars in the school parking lot.

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Police sources say the coach was walking the two girls to their cars when two men allegedly approached and one pulled out a gun and grabbed him by his chain necklace. The coach then pulled out his gun and shot both of them, according to sources.

The man who shot the attackers was 70 years old, according to police.

One of the attackers was found dead in the median on Lafayette Boulevard, and the other was taken to a local hospital, according to police sources. We've learned that both of the men had attended the high school, and one had been recently expelled.

Police sources say the coach has a Concealed Pistol License and is reportedly a reserve police officer. They say he is fully cooperating with authorities.

Crime scene tape could be seen on Lafayette Boulevard and also around the back parking lot of the school near the gym.

Students could be seen being walked to their cars late Friday night.

The Detroit Public Schools issued this statement to 7 Action News:

At approximately 7:30pm DPS Police responded to a call of attempted robbery at Martin Luther King Jr. High School. DPS Police are cooperating with DPD which is handling the lead investigation.

We are very relieved that all students and DPS personnel and representatives involved are safe and were unharmed. Preliminary reports are that shots were fired during an attempted robbery of a member of the coaching team of the school's girls basketball program by two assailants outside the school. There was one fatality and one injured suspect in serious condition.

The school has many security features which were in place at the time of the incident as well as a full security plan as do all DPS schools. These will be reviewed as the regularly are after any incidents. There will be counselors available at the school Monday morning for students and faculty members.; Reply to this comment


by romvik February 6, 2013 8:47 PM EST: Another citizen uses a firearm to protect himself from criminals. Good job, coach!

The parents of the criminals should be ashamed that their offsprings tried to commit a crime. Instead they get indignant and profess that their children were unarmed. Shame on you!; Reply to this comment


by vagrant45 February 6, 2013 5:11 PM EST: Some folks choose not to be victims.; Reply to this comment

by NeoGraphix00 February 6, 2013 4:41 PM EST

Of course the mother of the one shot is going to say "my son did not have a gun". The bullet he shot came out of his finger.

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by romvik February 6, 2013 8:44 PM EST: Did he have skittles though?


by guccimom323 February 6, 2013 4:13 PM EST: Thank you Mr. Robinson for protecting the young team members from yet again, teen thugs that think they can get away with anything they want. Detroit needs people like you protecting their streets of no good thugs.; Reply to this comment