Crime & Safety
Hundreds Mourn Slain Music Store Employee
Droves of people attended the emotional tribute in honor of music store employee and local musician Larry Robinson, who died following a robbery Friday at Pete's Music & Guitar Shop in Old Town Temecula.
Family and friends of 64-year-old Edward "Larry" Robinson gathered Sunday night outside of Pete’s Music & Guitar Shop in Old Town Temecula for a candlelight vigil in honor and memory of the musician.
Officers from the Temecula Police Department found Robinson around 7:30 p.m. Friday in the store where he worked, bound and unconscious with severe injuries, police said. Robinson died early Saturday morning at Inland Valley Medical Center.
Robinson worked at the Guitar Shop for about seven years, according to Pete Surowski who has owned the business since 2002 and is still in complete disbelief about the incident.
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“Just incredible disbelief and all the above,” Surowski said. “We miss you, we love you, and life will not be the same with out you.
“God bless you, rest in peace, we love you and we miss you.”
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Hundreds of people turned out for the emotional vigil in Old Town. The smell of burning candle wax filled the air while people prayed, sang songs, shared memories, and mourned the loss of Robinson.
In addition to working part-time at the shop, Robinson was an active singer, songwriter and musician who played regularly in the Temecula area, according to those who knew him.
“I’m so sorry Larry, we love you so much and if there was anything we could have done to stop this, we would have,” said Sharon Holmes, whose husband Gary Holmes works at the shop. “He was just very loving of other people.”
When asked about the events that unfolded on Friday night, one word came to Holmes’ mind: "Devastating,” she said.
His circle of friends remain incredulous at the violent robbery that turned deadly.
“A very wrong thing happened here,” said Cassandra Newberry, 33, of Fallbrook.
Robinson taught one of her children music.
“He was just a really loving person," Newberry said. "I really hope whoever did this is found, because it is not OK. You took a precious person off this planet...it’s going to catch up with you.”
Robinson is survived by his wife, Pat, and two adult children. He also leaves behind grandchildren.
A donation website has been set up in an effort to help the family during their difficult time. For information on that, click here.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is investigating Robinson's death as a homicide.
Allegedly taken during the incident was a guitar described as a dark red Les Paul Studio with gold hardware in a brownish Gibson case, according to Surowski, who said the serial number will be posted on the shop's website.
Anyone who may have information regarding the case is asked to call Investigator Baeza at the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777 or Investigator Williams at the Southwest Sheriff’s Station at 951-696-3000.
Editor's Note: The shop is owned by the family of former Temecula Patch editor Peter Surowski.