Ayden Police Officer Marquis Robins Has Resigned After Allegedly Assaulting Ex-Girlfriend and Firing Shotgun Inside Home with Infant Present
An Ayden Police Department officer is behind bars after a disturbing domestic incident unraveled early Sunday morning, ending with multiple felony and misdemeanor charges that include domestic violence, child abuse, and reckless firearm discharge.
Officials with the Ayden Police Department said Robins resigned following his arrest Sunday.
According to warrants obtained by The North Carolina Beat, 34-year-old Officer Marquis Trevez Robins was taken into custody after allegedly head-butting his former partner, injuring her, and firing a police-issued shotgun inside a residence occupied by five people, including his 11-month-old son.
The woman, identified as Taryn Stargen, told authorities Robins became violent during an altercation at the home. The warrant states he “head-butted the victim, opening her lip and possibly dislocating her nose,” while under the influence of alcohol. At the time, Robins and Stargen were formerly in a relationship, according to warrants.
But the alleged violence didn’t stop there.
Robins is accused of firing his Ayden Police Department-issued shotgun from his bedroom across the hall into his son’s bedroom, narrowly avoiding a potentially deadly tragedy. Five people were inside the home at the time of the shooting.
Ayden Police Officer Charged
Robins faces a mountain of charges, including:
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Five counts of discharging a firearm in occupied property
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One count of misdemeanor domestic violence
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One count of assault on a female
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One count of misdemeanor child abuse
He was booked into the Pitt County Jail around 4 p.m. with no bond, and is scheduled to appear in court on September 2 at 1:30 p.m.
Victim Speaks Out
Later Sunday evening, Stargen broke her silence in a raw and emotional Facebook post under the name “Tabu Stargen,” alleging Robins nearly ended her life in front of her children.
“Enough was enough being beat on for anything and everything,” she wrote. “Nobody understood what I had to deal with, I smiled and laughed but I cried at nights.”
So far, the Ayden Police Department has not released a statement about Robins’ arrest or his current employment status – but we have reached out.
