The small town of Clinton, North Carolina, feels a lot quieter this week. It’s the kind of silence that follows a sudden, heavy heartbreak. On Wednesday afternoon, the news started spreading through the hallways of Clinton High School and across social media: Julius Nasir Robinson, a senior who seemed to have the world at his feet, was gone. At just 18 years old, a young man who was a pillar of his school’s spirit passed away on December 17, leaving a void that words can’t quite fill.
Julius wasn’t just another student in the Class of 2026; he was the heartbeat of the Dark Horses’ athletic program. Whether he was flying across the turf as #20 for the varsity football team or driving to the hoop as #23 on the basketball court, Julius played with a passion that was contagious. He was an outside linebacker who played with grit, but off the field, he was known for a kindness that reached everyone from his closest teammates to the freshmen looking for a friendly face in the hall.
The details surrounding his passing are difficult to process. Authorities and family have indicated that Julius died in an apparent suicide, a tragedy that has sparked a massive outpouring of love and a raw, honest conversation about mental health within the community. For those who watched him dominate on Friday nights, the news feels impossible to square with the vibrant, determined young man they knew.
His family is leaning on each other and their faith to get through these first few days. Empris Murphy, a close family member, spoke for many when she shared that she felt “numb” after Julius went home to become a “guardian angel” at 5:10 p.m. that Wednesday. She promised to look after his siblings and urged his classmates to stay “#J20Strong,” a hashtag that has since become a rallying cry for a grieving town.
The tributes haven’t stopped pouring in. The Buck Sweep Sports Podcast, which follows local athletics closely, noted that next time the Dark Horses take the field, Julius will have “the best seat in the house.” His fellow seniors in the Class of 2026 described him as a person defined by his “heart, kindness, and loving spirit,” promising that they are already working on ways to make sure his legacy is never forgotten.
Right now, the Robinson home at 83 Kent Circle has become a place of gathering. The family has opened their doors to friends, teammates, and neighbors who need to share a hug or a story about the kid who wore #20 with so much pride. It’s a somber scene, but also a testament to how many lives one teenager could touch in just 18 years.
As the community moves forward, the focus remains on supporting those Julius left behind. The “Dark Horse” family is known for its toughness, but this week, they are finding strength in their vulnerability. They are remembering a son, a brother, and a teammate who gave his all to his school and his friends, and they are vowing to keep his memory alive, one “#J20Strong” post at a time.
