Gay bar owner shot dead, questions abound

• queerty.com
• Durand Robinson

Anthony Toliver says it was about half-past-midnight when the board associated with local gay bar Traxx adjourned its most recent meeting, which went from Tuesday night into the wee hours of Wednesday morning. He was under the impression that Durand Robinson, a fellow board member and co-owner of Traxx, would be heading home to Decatur from their meeting place at Bryson Square Apartments on 26th St., north of Midtown. But, about an hour later, Robinson was found dead in a Southwest Atlanta roadway, nowhere near where the meeting was held or his home. "That’s one thing we find very puzzling," Toliver told CL.

Police are releasing few details about the apparent homicide. According to an APD incident report, officers were dispatched to the 1700 block of Hadlock Street at about 1:30 a.m. in response to a reported shooting, and found Robinson's lifeless body lying in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbors in the surrounding area told police they heard an argument taking place — presumably involving Robinson — then heard gunshots and a car speed away.

Police are investigating the possibility that Robinson was targeted because of his perceived sexuality, and whether or not the incident should be classified as a bias crime as such. Toliver clarifies that although Robinson was active in the gay community, he was not homosexual. Public Affairs Manager Carlos Campos released the following statement: