Family apologizes for 'horrible events' that led to Utah man's dramatic shooting death

Published: April 11, 2019, 9:20 p.m. MDT

Harold Vincent Robinson Utah Black Lives Matter

SALT LAKE CITY — Family members of a man shot by police in a hail of bullets after a dramatic high-speed chase through Salt Lake City released a statement Thursday apologizing for "the horrible events that transpired" leading up to his death.

They say they hope his story will help bring awareness for those struggling with mental health issues.

Police officers investigate after a robbery suspect is shot dead after a high speed chase that ended in a hail of gun fire near 3300 South State Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Two officers run to a car and speed off as police officers investigate after a robbery suspect is shot dead after a high speed chase that ended in a hail of gun fire near 3300 South State Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Police investigate a shooting at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. | Silas Walker, Deseret News

A white pickup truck that crashed into Princess Alterations, 3339 S. State in South Salt Lake is pictured on Monday April 8, 2019. The driver of the pickup, who was suspected of committing two robberies and who apparently opened fire outside the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City earlier Monday, died after leading police on a chase that ended in a crash and a hail of bullets. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials talk with media as they investigate after a robbery suspect is shot dead after a high speed chase that ended in a hail of gun fire near 3300 South State Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A larger Police presence is visible as Police officers investigate after a robbery suspect is shot dead after a high speed chase that ended in a hail of gun fire near 3300 South State Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

The suspects truck is partially inside a business as police officers investigate after a robbery suspect is shot dead after a high speed chase that ended in a hail of gun fire near 3300 South State Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Media gathers as police officers investigate after a robbery suspect is shot dead after a high speed chase that ended in a hail of gun fire near 3300 South State Street in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Traffic is redirected at 33000 South State Street as Police officers investigate after a robbery suspect is shot dead after a high speed chase that ended in a hail of gun fire in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. Multiple agencies responded to the incident. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

Officers converge a white pickup truck that crashed into an alteration shop in South Salt Lake after a shooting downtown Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

A crashed white pickup truck at 3339 S. State Street in Salt Lake City after the driver fired several shots at the Sheraton Hotel on Monday morning, prompting police to chase the driver into South Salt Lake, where he eventually crashed Monday, April 8, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials at the scene where a white pickup truck crashed into a business at 3339 S. State Street in Salt Lake City after the driver fired several shots at the Sheraton Hotel on Monday morning, prompting police to chase the driver into South Salt Lake, where he eventually crashed Monday, April 8, 2019. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Law enforcement officials are pictured near Princess Alterations, 3339 S. State in South Salt Lake after a white pickup truck crashed into the business on Monday, April 8, 2019. The driver of the pickup, who was suspected of committing two robberies and who apparently opened fire outside the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City earlier Monday, died after leading police on a chase that ended in a crash and a hail of bullets. | Steve Griffin, Deseret News

Police investigate at a shooting at the intersection of 500 S and State Street that started at the Sheraton Hotel in Salt Lake City on Monday, April 8, 2019. | Silas Walker, Deseret News

On Monday, Harold Vincent Robinson, 37, of West Valley City, died as officers from several agencies closed in on him near 3300 S. State in South Salt Lake. Fifteen officers opened fire on him in 15 to 20 seconds of continuous gunfire.

Police say the chase began after Robinson robbed two convenience stores at gunpoint, fired multiple shots at a downtown hotel, then began "firing indiscriminately" throughout Salt Lake City as police chased him, pointing an assault rifle out the window at officers.

"We are devastated by the loss of our son, brother, uncle and friend. We called him Junior and we all loved him dearly," according to a statement released by family members through Utah's chapter of Black Lives Matter. The Deseret News confirmed the validity of the statement through Robinson's mother.

According to the family, Robinson suffered from mental illness and had lately struggled with "paranoia and delusions."

"Leading up to the event, Junior had started to express to his mother and siblings his love and appreciation," the family recalled.

Family members had tried to get him help "as he seemed unstable a few months back," they said, adding that he was recently admitted to a mental health facility for treatment.

They said he stayed there for several days for evaluation and seemed "calmer" when he was released.

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He was "trying to get back on track," according to the family.

"The family would like to express their deepest sympathy and apologize for the horrible events that transpired and any fear or stress that was inflicted upon the people who witnessed it or were involved," the family said. "We pray that this tragic event will increase awareness of the damages (of) mental illness and the effects it has on the community and the individual's family."

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"With proper evaluation and treatment the event may have been prevented and we would still have our beloved friend and family member," according to the statement.

Lex Scott, with Utah's Black Lives Matter, said some family members did not want the statement released. But his mother wanted the family to get to "tell their side of the story about him," Scott said.

The family asked for privacy as they grieve.

Fifteen officers remain on administrative leave while West Valley police lead the investigation into the officer-involved shooting part of the case.

Plywood has been put in the windows and doors and a few flowers have been left in the spot Harold Vincent Robinson, 37, of West Valley City, was killed by police on Tuesday, April 9, 2019. at the Princess Alterations shop in Salt Lake City a day after a bizarre shootout. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

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