Community opens its heart to road rage victim’s family
WEST CHESTER » Bianca Roberson’s father said the support he and his family received since his daughter was murdered has been “beyond words.”
The victim’s father, Rodney Roberson, said free pizzas from a shop Bianca frequented have been sent to the family home on South Coventry Lane in West Chester nearly every day, and even his mother-in-law got her carpets cleaned for free.
“I went to get a suit for my son for the funeral, and they wouldn’t even let me pay for it,” Rodney Roberson said. “There has been so much support, it’s unbelievable. I go out get something to eat, and people at the restaurant won’t even let me pay. We are very humble and grateful for all of the love and support we have been getting.”
As of Thursday afternoon, a GoFundMe campaign for the Roberson family raised nearly $43,000. Many, like Tom Buglio of West Chester, wrote words of encouragement to the family along with their donation.
“What an unspeakable tragedy, for a family who has suffered greatly,” Buglio said. “Many are working to see that a tragedy like this does not befall another family like yours. My sincerest condolences.”
The family is also in the process of establishing a scholarship in memory of Bianca, who was 18 when she died, and her brother Mykel. Jacksonville University, the college Bianca had planned to attend, and Bayard Rustin High School, where Bianca recently graduated, reached out the family to set up future scholarships in Bianca’s name.
“There has been so much support, it’s unbelievable,” Rodney Roberson said. “I have never seen anything like this before. It touches me. It touches us all. There are a lot of good people in this community.”
The man charged in the road-rage murder of Bianca Roberson, David Desper, 28, of Trainer, is being held without bail at Chester County Prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled July 13 before District Judge William Kraut of West Goshen. Rodney Roberson said he is planning to attend.
Roberson died of a single gunshot wound to the head, suffered when she was driving her 2009 Chevrolet Malibu attempting to merge from one lane to another near the end of the Route 100 spur that connects to Route 202 south in West Goshen at around 5:30 p.m. June 28. In the days that ensued, a nationwide manhunt got underway for the driver of a faded red Chevy pickup truck. At 2 a.m. Sunday, July 2, Desper surrendered at the Media office of his attorney. The case has been pre-assigned to Common Pleas Court Judge Ann Marie Wheatcraft.
The case has received worldwide attention.
At the site of the shooting, family and friends have left memorial paraphernalia for Bianco Roberson, including touching handwritten signs and condolences to the family.
“So many people have been expressing their condolences, it’s just wonderful,” Rodney Roberson said. “But it had to be the death of my daughter, but we accept it, and we gratefully accept what everybody has shown us because this is who she was. All of the love that has been shown by this community is what our daughter was all about. Who she was when she was alive is coming back in her death.”
Bianca Roberson’s funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday at St. Paul’s Baptist Church in West Chester. A public viewing will take place from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m.
“There has been so much support, it’s unbelievable. I have never seen anything like this before. It touches me. It touches us all. There are a lot of good people in this community.”
— Rodney Roberson, father of Bianca Roberson