Violent robber who killed a store clerks dog sentenced to 70 years in prison

FORT WORTH, Texas - Donavin Copeland, a 20-year-old from Tarrant County, has been sentenced to 70 years in prison after pleading guilty to a series of violent crimes including six counts of aggravated robbery and animal cruelty. Copeland was arrested in 2023 following a string of armed robberies, which were captured on video and widely publicized by Fort Worth police. The video from January 2, 2023, shows Copeland shooting and killing a small dog named Peanut during a robbery, before threatening a store clerk at gunpoint and demanding cash. In a series of similar incidents, Copeland targeted stores within a one-mile radius, frequently using his firearm to intimidate clerks, rob them, and steal their vehicles. In one case, he also pistol-whipped a victim. Prosecutors highlighted that Copeland’s pattern of violence extended to multiple locations, with each robbery involving threats of violence and significant harm to victims. Tips from the public were crucial in helping Fort Worth police identify and apprehend Copeland. Fort Worth Police Detective Brian Raynsford described Copeland as one of the most dangerous and violent individuals he has encountered in his 12 years of working in robbery investigations. The case saw collaboration among law enforcement agencies from Fort Worth, Saginaw, and White Settlement to ensure community safety and bring Copeland to justice.