Man involved in bar shooting caught on video pleads to felonious assault

4/11/2011

The Toledo man who fired into a crowded Route 66 Bar and Grill — a video of which captured national media attention — entered a plea in Lucas County Common Pleas Court Monday to felonious assault.

Marquese Robbins, 32, of 1103 Norwod Ave., pleaded no contest to two counts of felonious assault, one with an accompanying gun specification. As part of the plea agreement, an additional two counts of felonious assault and the remaining gun specifications will be dismissed at his May 25 sentencing.

Robbins initially was charged one week after the Oct. 8, 2009, incident but was not arrested until months later. He is accused of firing several shots inside the Westwood Avenue bar — an incident that was recorded on videotape and broadcast on CNN and other national networks.

He first appeared in court on the charges June 10.

Judge Gene Zmuda agreed to a prosecutor recommendation to sentence the assault charges concurrent to each other, if Robbins “behaves” pending his sentence. Because the gun specification requires mandatory time in prison, Robbins faces between five and 11 years behind bars.

Robbins was slated to go to trial on the charges Monday.