Point Loma man receives consecutive life-without-parole sentences for killing sister, nephew, and wounding mother
Life-without-parole sentence imposed after Point Loma family shooting
A San Diego Superior Court judge has sentenced a Point Loma man to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killings of his sister and nephew in a 2024 shooting that also left his elderly mother seriously injured. The sentence followed a jury’s guilty verdicts for two counts of first-degree murder and related findings that elevated the case to mandatory life-without-parole exposure under California’s special-circumstance murder statutes.
The case centered on an Aug. 21, 2024 shooting at a residence in the 3600 block of Zola Street. The victims killed were Laurie Robinson, 61, and her adult son, Brett Robinson, 33. A third victim, June Bushey, then 86, survived but suffered major injuries, including the loss of fingers on one hand.
What the jury convicted him of
William Bushey, 61, was convicted of murdering Laurie Robinson and Brett Robinson and of shooting his mother during the same episode. The jury also found true special-circumstance allegations tied to multiple murders, a finding that substantially narrows sentencing options and can result in life without parole rather than a parole-eligible life term.
At sentencing, the court imposed two consecutive life-without-parole terms for the two murder counts. The court also addressed other counts tied to the shooting and the victim’s age and injuries.
Timeline and key factual elements presented in court
- Aug. 21, 2024: Police responded to the Point Loma home and took Bushey into custody. Investigators recovered a shotgun near where he was located. Three family members were found with gunshot wounds; two were pronounced dead at the scene.
- Pre-trial proceedings: Prosecutors pursued a life-without-parole path rather than seeking a death sentence.
- Jan. 23, 2026: A jury found Bushey guilty of first-degree murder in both killings and found the multiple-murder special circumstance true.
- Sentencing hearing: Family members delivered victim-impact statements. The court imposed consecutive life-without-parole terms.
Family statements and courtroom record
During the sentencing hearing, relatives described lasting harm to the family and addressed Bushey directly. Laurie Robinson’s surviving sons spoke about the impact of the killings and the family’s view of events leading up to the shooting. June Bushey also spoke in court about her injuries and the consequences for the family.
Broader legal context
In California, special-circumstance findings—such as multiple murders—can convert a first-degree murder conviction into a sentence of life without the possibility of parole. Consecutive life-without-parole terms ensure a defendant remains incarcerated for each homicide count, reflecting the separate loss of life recognized by the court.