JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville man accused of fatally shooting a 2-year old boy is expected to make another court appearance on Wednesday morning.
Steven Dodson Jr., 21, was taken into custody less than 24 hours after investigators said he shot and killed A’hmari Robinson during a domestic dispute on March 24, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
The shooting occurred at Valencia Way Apartments, where investigators said a gun went off during a domestic argument, striking Robinson. Dodson then fled the scene, triggering a manhunt that ended with his arrest around midnight Monday.
According to the redacted arrest report, Dodson was found in an apartment in the Grand Park neighborhood.
The report said the situation started as an argument over the phone. Moments after that, witnesses said the hear a gunshot and then saw Dodson run from the scene.
At the bond hearing, the judge noted Dodson’s unusual absence from the proceedings.
“Mr. Dodson is not in the court today, but his case is,” the judge said.
Court records reviewed showed Dodson has had prior arrests over the past three years on charges including strong-arm robbery, domestic battery, and other offenses.
As the judge read off Dodson’s charges, emotions from A’hmari’s family spilled outside the courtroom.
“Pain. Anger and pain. Pain hurt,” one family member said. “And then we already getting fake pages just texting us and threatening. People want to fight my sister. Y’all don’t even know what she’s going through. Y’all don’t know what she went through.”
Another family member added: “We is hurting, ‘cause that baby didn’t deserve none of that.”
As the case moved forward, the child’s family leaned on the community as they grieved an unimaginable loss, and the Silent Women Speaking Foundation stepped in to help.
“Our goal is to bring Mom to an angel Mom support group. We will be doing grief coaching for her. And right now, we’re just taking care of the basic needs that she needs right now, showing love and support,” Haraka Carswell said.
The family also started a GoFundMe account to help A’mahri’s family after the tragic loss.