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Burlington County honors student, fatally shot outside his home, was ‘a big ol’ loving bear,’ mom says.

Detectives are investigating the fatal shooting of a Willingboro High School senior who loved playing chess and guitar.

Yahsinn Robinson, an 18-year-old honors student at Willingboro High School, was described by his mother, Saleenah Bell, as a "gentle giant" who loved chess and music.
Yahsinn Robinson, an 18-year-old honors student at Willingboro High School, was described by his mother, Saleenah Bell, as a "gentle giant" who loved chess and music.Read moreCourtesy of Yahsinn Robinson family

Saleenah Bell was inside her Burlington County home late Thursday night when she heard gunfire. Her 18-year-old son, Yahsinn, was due home any minute. She called police, then phoned her son to tell him to be careful.

He didn’t pick up.

“I was home. I heard gunfire and when I came out, I saw a body and I didn’t know it was my child,” Bell told Fox29. “He was the wrong person. He’s a good kid. He’s a sweetheart and he didn’t deserve it.”

On Saturday, detectives continued to investigate the death of Yahsinn Robinson, a senior at Willingboro High School, who died from gunshot wounds steps from his home on the first block of Barrington Lane shortly before 11:30 p.m. Thursday.

Robinson, whom family affectionately called “Yah-Yah,” worked part-time at the Pitney Bowes warehouse across the Delaware River in Levittown, Bucks County, according to news reports.

His mother said she had scheduled an Uber ride earlier Thursday to pick him up and bring him home. After hearing gunfire and calling 911, Bell said she rushed outside to help the victim. Then she saw her son’s backpack on the ground.

“He was at the wrong place, at the wrong time, but the sad part was that it was home,” Bell told CBS3 Friday.

Just before the pandemic, the family had moved from North Jersey to Willingboro, where Bell said she thought her family would be safer.

“I thought it was gonna be OK here,” Bell said, wiping tears. “If they had met him and got to know him, they would have never done this.

“He was a big ol’ loving bear,” she said.

Robinson, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, excelled in school, his family said.

“We worked and worked and worked until he was able to speak well,” Bell said.

“Everybody that knew him, adored him. His teachers. His friends,” she said.

Detectives with the Willingboro Township Police Department and the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office are investigating the case. No arrests have been made. Anyone with information should call Burlington County Central Communications at 609-265-7113.