A Hampstead man, Wilbert Lamont Robinson, 44, has been sentenced for the shocking murder of his mother, sister, and 13-year-old son in Wilmington, North Carolina, more than three years after the tragic incident occurred at a local shopping center.
Robinson pleaded guilty on Wednesday, December 10, in New Hanover County Superior Court to three counts of second-degree murder, as part of a plea agreement that reduced his original first-degree murder charges. The plea came in lieu of a jury trial, which prosecutors had scheduled for late March 2026.
The victims, Diretta Robinson, 65, Trina Robinson, 48, and Isiah Hansley, were discovered with gunshot wounds in a car parked outside the Dollar Tree on Military Cutoff Road at Landfall Shopping Center in January 2022. Robinson was found nearby on the pavement with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and a 9mm pistol beside him. Spiering, Assistant District Attorney for New Hanover County, noted that multiple witnesses confirmed the sequence of events, with one even assisting Robinson behind the vehicle while checking the victims’ pulses.
Authorities said Hansley, Robinson’s son, suffered multiple gunshot wounds, while the mother and sister each sustained a single fatal wound. Ballistics evidence linked the pistol found at the scene to the shooting, and Robinson admitted ownership of the weapon.
At the time of the killings, Robinson was living with his mother and maintaining employment at an electric company. He also shared custody of his son, Isiah. Prosecutors revealed that Robinson had recently taken a leave of absence due to struggles with substance use. Despite his personal challenges, his employer described him as a “good employee” who kept to himself and performed his duties well.
Investigations into Robinson’s mental state revealed a history of auditory hallucinations and led to a diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder, a serious mental health condition affecting judgment, reasoning, and decision-making. During initial questioning, Robinson stated he did not remember the shooting and refrained from providing details about the incident.
Family members described the events as devastating and incomprehensible. Robinson’s legal team emphasized his remorse and the trauma that a full trial could inflict on both him and the surviving family members. The plea agreement, which reduced the charges to second-degree murder, ensured accountability while avoiding further emotional distress.
Following the hearing, Judge Jessica Locklear sentenced Robinson to three consecutive terms of 20 to 25 years in the state’s adult correctional facility. The court also credited him for the 1,424 days he has already spent in custody and recommended that he undergo a thorough mental health assessment during his sentence.
In her remarks, Judge Locklear acknowledged the profound grief and pain suffered by the victims’ family, stating: “The court takes this very seriously… I am so sorry for your loss.” She also thanked family members for attending the hearing and participating in the judicial process.
The tragic case highlights the intersection of mental health challenges and violent crime, raising questions about early intervention, treatment, and the support systems available for individuals struggling with severe psychological conditions. Experts emphasize that cases like Robinson’s underscore the importance of timely mental health care and monitoring to prevent such catastrophic outcomes.
While the community continues to grapple with the impact of the killings, Robinson’s sentencing provides a measure of closure for the surviving family members and reinforces the judicial system’s commitment to addressing violent crimes, even when mental illness is involved.
