In the late hours of a Friday night in October 2019, tragedy struck in Elizabeth, New Jersey, forever altering the lives of a young man and his family. In a parking lot at the Oakwood Plaza Apartments, 20-year-old Jamile Robbins was discovered suffering from a critical gunshot wound. It was approximately 11:40 p.m. on October 25th when Elizabeth Police Department patrol units responded to the scene. Robbins was quickly transported to Trinitas Regional Medical Center in a desperate attempt to save his life, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. In some reports, his age was noted as 19 at the time of his death. The male victim’s sudden and violent death launched a full-scale homicide investigation.
The Union County Prosecutor's Office, along with the Union County Homicide Task Force, the Elizabeth Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies, immediately began the arduous task of piecing together the events that
led to Robbins's death. The investigation was active and ongoing, with authorities urging the public to come forward with any information. A reward of up to $10,000 was offered by the Union County Crime Stoppers for any information that would lead to an arrest and indictment in the case, a clear sign of the seriousness of the crime and the desire for justice for Jamile Robbins.
For years, the case remained under investigation, but a significant breakthrough eventually came. The focus of the investigation turned to a woman from Old Bridge, Cheryle Lugo. It was determined that Lugo, a limo driver, was the operator of the getaway vehicle used in the fatal shooting. Surveillance footage from the area of the crime scene led investigators to a black Chrysler 300. This vehicle was eventually traced to a limousine rental company in Colonia, where it was confirmed that Lugo had been driving it on the night of the murder. Further investigation, including cell phone records and witness statements, solidified her involvement. Lugo eventually pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder.
In December 2024, five years after Jamile Robbins was killed, Cheryle Lugo, then 44, was sentenced to 18 years in state prison for her role in the crime. Under the terms of her sentence, she will be required to serve more than 15 years before becoming eligible for parole. While Lugo's sentencing brought a measure of closure to the case, the investigation into the individual who actually fired the shot that killed Jamile Robbins was reported to be ongoing. The prosecutor's office expressed hope that the sentence would provide some solace to Robbins's loved ones, even though it could never bring him back.
