Robert Cunningham

 

• Robert Cunningham, a train mechanic for the D.C. Metro, was gunned down on Wednesday, Feb 1, 2023 attempting to stop a deranged man who was using a handgun to threaten a woman on the platform of the Potomac Avenue Metro station in D.C. You can read about the incident on CNN, FOX or NBC. He was 64-years-old and undoubtedly looking forward to retirement.
  
  
• Although Cunningham was successful in protecting the woman, it cost him his life. He died a hero and will always be remembered for his extraordinary bravery and sacrifice. He leaves behind a wife, four children and grandchildren.
  
  
• Cunningham's funeral was held on Valentine's Day at St. Camillus Catholic Church in Silver Spring, Maryland.
  

  

 

Elisa and Robert Cunningham

 

• Mr. Robert Cunningham's alleged killer was identified as 31-year-old Isaiah Trotman.
  
  
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  From what I read, it appears Trotman was off to a good start in life. He was involved in competitive swimming in High School and received a scholarship to attend Auburn University. He graduated from Auburn in 2015 having earned a BSBA (finance) degree. While in college, he joined a military program and the Air National Guard. After college, he worked in IT. It seems he grew up the All-American boy with a promising future as a well-prepared young man. The picture to the right was taken from his Facebook page.

• Somewhere along the line, his life veered off track, taking him down the path of drug abuse which led to psychosis and domestic violence. He has several drug possession and domestic violence charges. He recently plead guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in Adams County, Pennsylvania and was facing possible prison time at an upcoming sentencing hearing in April. He had been arrested in a motel lobby, acting erratically and vandalizing plants. Apparently, he was using meth, which would certainly account for his erratic behaviour and mental downward sprial.
  
  
• As I see it, there are two major problems here
  
  
  1. is that Trotman was not receiving the help he needed, and that's mostly on him. Probation officers and court-ordered counseling and rehab only go so far. It would be up to Trotman to get himself back on the straight and narrow.
     
     
  2. is that Trotman was not being held to account for his lawbreaking, having most of his charges reduced or even dropped, and that's on his accusers and the criminal justice system. Domestic violence, and distribution and use of methamphetamine are very serious and he could have been kept behind bars for treatment until his April sentencing. Perhaps, the judge felt that was excessive and turned him loose. Certainly, had Trotman been held to ensure he would not be a danger to himself or others, Mr. Cunningham would not have been shot dead -- but no.
     
     My Monday Morning Quarterbacking is not just looking back and suggesting what could have been prevented. It's also about looking forward to suggest what might prevent similar tragedies in the future.

 

 

• There is a murder roughly every other day in D.C. Many who hear of this tragedy will simply view this as just another episode of endless shootings -- not much to see here -- same old, same old -- but Cunningham's murder hits home. He was one of ours, one of the good guys, a hard-working family man. The sadness many of us feel will stay with us, as will his memory.
  
  
• What should the priority of our criminal justice system and reform policies be?
  • to provide the Trotmans in society an endless supply of second chances
  • or the protection of female Metro riders and the Cunninghams in society?
    
  You decide.
  
  
• It can be argued that Mr. Cunningham's murder is an example, in part, of the downside of Criminal Justice Reform. Metro has been there before when D.C. lawmakers essentially decriminalized fare evasion. However, it appears Trotman has finally gotten the appropriate attention of D.C.'s criminal justice system as he is now being held without bond. Unfortunately, it's too little, too late for Mr. Cunningham and those who love and depended on him. May Robert Cunningham rest in peace.