Sarasota Man Guilty In 2015 Manslaughter at Family Inn

SARASOTA, FL — A 20-year-old Sarasota man has been found guilty of firing the shot that killed one of his childhood friends back in 2015. Sarasota Police announced a guilty verdict in the manslaughter case against Devontae Robinson on Monday.

The incident that led to Robinson’s conviction late last week occurred on July 11, 2015. Police say Robinson and his father were staying at the Family Inn, 4807 N. Tamiami Trail, at the time. Quenton Spears, 18, came to the inn to spend the night with the family.

According to an arrest report, an argument broke out between Robinson and Spears outside the room. That argument took a violent turn and a shot was fired inside the room.

Robinson’s father, Nathaniel Robinson, was in the bathroom when the shot rang out, according to the original arrest report. He told police he came out to find Spears on the floor with a gunshot wound and his son “ducking down with his back towards him.”

Devontae Robinson was 18 at the time of the shooting. Police say Devontae and Quenton “grew up together and were childhood friends.”

Devontae Robinson was found guilty of manslaughter and tampering with evidence. Sentencing in the case will take place in March.

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Booking photo courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department