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Attention for Atavia: Akron family pleads for justice as daughter's killing remains unsolved

Atavia Robinson was shot June 25 outside a movie theater. Her family has raised extra money as a reward for information in the case.

AKRON, Ohio — You needn't go far to learn just how much Atavia Robinson was loved during her short 20 years on Earth. 

When we expected to just interview her father, a crowd of people showed up to show their support.

"Atavia was full of energy," Gary Robinson told 3News. "She loved dancing, she loved to smile, she loved her family, she loved holidays especially. Just an amazing young lady."

Atavia lived in Akron with her family, and had dreams of being an entrepreneur. She was leaving the Regal Independence movie theater on June 25 when an argument broke out between two other people. Atavia and one other were shot, and she later died from her injuries.

Ever since, her family and friends want to make sure her story doesn't get lost in the news cycle.

"We'll never have Tavi back," friend Destiny Appleton said, "but it just might feel better if we can get justice and we can figure out who did this."

Summit County Crimestoppers has offered a reward for information leading to her arrest, but her dad says "money talks," so the family created a GoFundMe that has so fat taken the reward from $5,000 to nearly $20,000. They are asking someone — anyone — who knows anything to come forward.

"It would mean the world to me, because not only does it save someone else's life, it's going to save their life," Atavia's grandmother Renee Robinson remarked. "When you live by violence, without any repercussions, nothing good is going to come of it."

The family is determined to get justice, but also determined to remember the girl whose last words will forever be in mind.

"That was my heart. My last interaction with Tai was her saying, 'I love you,' Gary said. "And it's hard, because I don't know if I said 'I love you' back, you know? So it's tough."

If you have any details in Atavia's case, please call Akron police (330) 375-2552 or Summit County Crimestoppers at (330) 434-2677.

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