Point Loma man sentenced to life without parole in killings of sister, nephew

A man who shot three of his family members at his Point Loma home — killing his sister and nephew and seriously injuring his elderly mother — was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

William Bushey, 61, was convicted by a San Diego Superior Court jury earlier this year of murdering his sister, Laurie Robinson, 61, and her son, Brett Robinson, 33, during an Aug. 21, 2024, shooting at the Zola Street home he shared with his mother.

Bushey was also convicted of the attempted murder of his then-86-year-old mother, June Bushey, who was shot in the chest and lost three fingers on her right hand.

Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello told jurors that the abrupt presence of his sister, who moved into the home following a sudden separation from her husband, set Bushey off. The shooting occurred nine days after Laurie Robinson moved in.

Bushey’s hostile behavior following his sister’s arrival caused Laurie and her mother to take 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, Pirrello said.

Police were called twice to the home to respond to apparent angry outbursts from Bushey, once after the knives were removed, and once after the locks were changed, which reportedly led Bushey to break off a doorknob to enter the house. Responding officers determined no crimes had been committ...