JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Emotional 911 calls and conflicting witness descriptions marked a dramatic first day of testimony in the trial of Jacksonville rapper Hakeem Robinson, known as Ksoo, and his cousin and co-defendant, Leroy Whitaker Jr.
The two are accused in the 2020 shooting death of Charles McCormick, also known as “Little Buck,” outside a shopping center in Jacksonville.
One witness, who called 911 moments after the gunfire, described seeing a masked man in a skull cap running through the parking lot. “They shot Charles McCormick,” she said during the emotional playback in court.
The caller, who can’t be identified, told the court McCormick had just left her job after being hired. Despite the moment of chaos, the caller caught a glimpse of the alleged shooter.
“He has a mask on, he has a skull cap, he’s running across the parking lot,” said the 911 caller.
An off-duty Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer, Collins, testifying for the state, said he saw a silver Nissan fleeing the scene. He followed the car and saw a man dressed in black and grey exiting, possibly holding a rifle. However, he admitted under cross-examination that he could not confirm the suspect’s identity.
The defense questioned the credibility of the descriptions, pointing out that several witnesses said the shooter was between 5’5” and 5’8”. Robinson is over six feet tall.
Another witness testified that two men, allegedly connected to the crime, forced their way into her home shortly after the shooting. She identified one as Dominique Boner—now a cooperating state witness—but said she never saw the second man’s face. Prosecutors claim that the man was Whitaker.
McCormick’s family was in court but declined to speak.
Outside the courtroom, Whitaker’s father, Leroy Whitaker Sr., spoke with News4Jax reporter Briana Brownlee and photojournalist Jesse Hanson. He spoke on behalf of the Whitaker and Robinson families. He said, in any case, he wants people to be held accountable, but he wants to see evidence.
“I want fairness,” Whitaker Sr. said. “We’re just going to wait for the outcome,” he said. “I want fairness.”
He added he spoke with his son, and he’s in good spirits, but his son is still trying to process the trial.
Testimony is scheduled to resume Thursday morning.
