Trial begins for man accused of killing sister, nephew in Point Loma

Opening statements were delivered Monday in the trial of a man accused of shooting three of his family members at his Point Loma home — killing his sister and his nephew and seriously injuring his elderly mother.

William Bushey, 61, is charged with murder and attempted murder for the Aug. 21, 2024, shooting at his family’s Zola Street home that killed his sister, Laurie Robinson, 61, and her son, Brett Robinson, 33. Bushey’s then-86-year-old mother was shot in her chest and lost three fingers on her right hand from the gunfire, but survived.

Bushey had been living at the home with his mother for about 15 years when his sister moved in following a sudden separation from her husband. The shooting occurred nine days after Laurie Robinson moved in.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello told a San Diego Superior Court jury that Bushey had a history of acting hostile toward family members and that his sister’s abrupt presence in the home set him off, leading him to act out and her to fear for her safety.

The prosecutor said Laurie and her mother undertook several safety measures out of fear, such as removing knives from the home, changing the locks, and finally, pursuing a restraining order against Bushey and taking steps to evict him.

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