At Wednesday’s press conference and rally outside the Church Street courthouse. Family members wear temporary tattoos to remember Aaron. Shannon and Kwame Nkrumah refuse to let New Haven forget about their late grandson Aaron Sinclair Robinson Jr., who was killed in the Hill last year at th e age of 15. So on Wednesday, they joined 50 other family members and friends outside the state courthouse at 235 Church St. to mark the one-year anniversary of his homicide, and to stress that “he’s not forgotten, and what happened is not forgotten.” Aaron’s grandparents, aunts, younger brother, classmates, and teammates brought with them banners, car decals, sweat suits, and tattoos depicting Aaron and their memories of him before his April 15, 2025, death. Police have described his homicide as resulting from a targeted shooting. Aaron’s grandmother Shannon Nkrumah said the Wednesday gathering was necessary because her family is frustrated by the lack of updates they’ve received on the case’s progress. Reached for comment Thursday, city Acting Police Chief David Zannelli told the Independent that the department remains “united with the family to get them the closure they deserve.” He said detectives continue to work diligently on the case. The department is seeking “more assistance from those in the know” within the community to keep making progress. Zannelli called on anyone who knows anything about Aaron’s death to come forward, in the same way that community members have provided police with significant support in other recent investigations. At Wednesday’s rally, Shannon told the Independent that her grandson’s homicide was a “senseless act” that has caused such harm to her family. On every April 15 going forward, Kwame Nkrumah, Aaron’s grandfather, said his family will gather to remind the community that accountability and justice have yet to be served for the lost life of his grandson and so many other youth impacted by gun violence. Family members that joined the Wednesday gathering recalled Aaron’s smile, jokes, athletic talent, and big heart. Aaron often walked neighborhood kids to their bus stops when they told him they were worried about being bullied; he fed the homeless just days before he was killed; he gave his number out to families offering to walk children in the neighborhood to the corner store to be sure they were always safe. Shannon added that every time a shooting happens in New Haven, she relives the day she lost her grandson. “But all the mayor and police care about is making downtown safe for visitors. But what about everyone else, the people that live past downtown,” she said. Shannon was recently told by a friend of Aaron’s that she did her senior capstone project on local gun violence because she has lost nine people over the last 12 months, including Aaron and a cousin of hers. The group shared hugs and tears while recalling memories of Aaron on Wednesday. Aaron would have be finishing his junior year in high school this year. Shannon described it as unacceptable that the individuals that took his life are still free. Shannon said that, from what she’s been told occurred, Aaron was chased down by individuals on foot and in a car who were shooting at him in broad day light as he walked home from the corner store. “When Aaron reached his yard his mother had already heard gunshots,” Shannon said, “and she looked out the window and saw individuals with masks on.” She said that Aaron’s mother “yelled out her window, ‘Get out of my yard, I’m calling the police!’ At that moment someone pointed a gun at her and Aaron yelled, ‘Mom go back in the house.’ Several more shots went off. Aaron was executed in front of his mother.” She added that Robinson’s grave has been vandalized several times over the last year. “Criminals should never be given probation for violent crimes. Whenever probation is given for violent crimes it sends a message that what the perpetrators did was acceptable. When this happens violent crimes then escalate,” Shannon concluded. The group chanted “Justice for Aaron” to remind the passing walkers and drivers that “the momentum” for seeking justice for Aaron “will never stop.” Shannon said that she raised Aaron in Meriden for the first eight years of his life, and that he attended New Haven Public Schools. Shannon said she taught in New Haven for over 20 years, most recently at the now-closed Hyde Leadership School. Family members recalled Aaron’s interest during elementary school in being the director of the FBI. He later aspired to establish an arts safe space for youth because of his passion for working with children. Aaron’s younger brother Chance Robinson, 13, described his brother as always showing up to support him during basketball games. They also bonded over playing video games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Roblox together. Aaron’s stepmother Helen Porto-Bember said she always appreciated how respectful Aaron was to her. He called her “ma” and always reminded people that she is his family. Nearly everyone that attended Wednesday’s wore clothing reading, “Justice and accountability for Aaron Sinclair Robinson Jr,” “Forever in our heart,” and “end gun violence.” Some even wore temporary tattoos of Aaron’s picture on their faces. Aaron’s godfather Javon Baker said a prayer with the group on the steps of the courthouse. He recalled being in the hospital the day Aaron was born and later the pain of going back years later upon his death. “We have got to make this city more safe for the kids,” he said. Aaron’s godfather Javon Baker (left) leads a prayer. Aaron’s aunt Stephanie (right) in custom sweatsuit for her nephew Aaron. “This shit breaks me everyday,” she said. “He didn’t get to live his life. No college, no prom, nothing.” Shannon shares remarks during Wednesday presser. Shannon and Kwame Nkrumah’s car picturing Aaron on all sides. The hood of the Nkrumahs’ car. 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