ROCK ISLAND, Ill. — Murder charges have been dismissed for an Alabama man after a fatal shooting in East Moline on May 4.
Rock Island County State's Attorney Dora A. Villareal has filed a motion to dismiss all charges against 21-year-old Jarquez D. Robertson. In a Thursday, June 20, press release, Villareal announced that additional investigation and evidence determined that Robertson acted in self-defense during a fatal May 4 shooting at the Deerfield Woods Apartment Complex that killed 22-year-old Michael J. Robinson of Davenport. Robinson was found to have been shot multiple times and was later pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Robertson had been charged with first-degree murder on May 5 and was arrested near his home in Huntsville, Alabama that same day. Authorities say Robinson and his girlfriend were cooperative with officers when interviewed, both claiming that the shooting was in self-defense.
Following Robertson's arrest, investigators conducted interviews with additional witnesses and analyzed cell phone data from before and after the shooting. It was determined that Robertson legally possessed and carried the weapon used in the shooting.
After the investigation was completed, East Moline police detectives approached Villareal with concerns about the charges, according to a news release. Following Villareal's review, her office determined the evidence "strongly suggests that Robertson was acting in self-defense of his life and the lives of others when he shot at Robinson."
Villareal filed a motion to dismiss Robertson's charges on Thursday, requesting Robertson's release from the Rock Island County Jail.
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