Mark Robinson presents inaugural police award, dodges question about ‘killing’ comments

Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson presented a first-of-its-kind award to a Craven County law enforcement officer on Wednesday.

The North Carolina Medal of Valor, which is administered by the lieutenant governor’s office, was created by the legislature at Robinson’s request in 2023 to honor first responders who “performed great acts of heroism while under threat of personal risk to safety, beyond the call of duty in the field.”

Robinson, who is running for governor as a Republican, awarded the medal to Lt. Lyndsey Moses-Winnings of the Craven County Sheriff’s Office for her involvement in stopping a shooter in 2021 who injured another officer.

“Today we pay tribute to someone who embodies the essence of strength, determination and selflessness,” he said. “It is with great honor and humility that I stand before you to recognize Lt. Moses-Winnings who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in her service to our fellow citizens and community.”

The event came as Robinson faces criticism for his remarks at a June 30 church service, where he said “ some folks need killing ,” after referencing the Germans and Japanese in World War II. He went on to talk about “wicked people” who he said should be punished by the military and police.

Mike Lonergan, Robinson’s campaign spokesperson, has criticized news organizations for their reporting on the comments, saying they were taken out of context and strictly referred to the war.

After Wednesday’s ceremony, Robinson rebuked a CBS-17 reporter who asked about his comments, saying “You want to come out here and you want to besmirch this lady’s award by coming out here and asking me that silly question. That’s what you got out of this? There’s your answer. Shameful, that’s what it is. Pure shameful. And you should be ashamed.”

He did not take any questions before leaving the event.

During a press conference on Wednesday, North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton and Mo Green, the Democratic candidate for North Carolina superintendent of public instruction, decried Robinson’s remarks at Lake Church in Bladen County.

“Mark Robinson makes North Carolina less safe. Despite what his campaign wants you to believe, his comments about people needing killing aren’t being taken out of context,” Clayton said, calling on Robinson to clarify who exactly needs “killing.”

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