Cook County correctional officer charged in deadly Niles shooting

A Cook County correctional officer faces a first-degree murder charge stemming from the deadly shooting of an acquaintance early Sunday outside a Niles nightclub, police said.

Alan Kettina, 25, of Northbrook, appeared in court Tuesday in connection with the killing of Mark H. Asber, 22, of Niles. He was ordered held on $400,000 bail and remained in custody at the Cook County jail later in the day, jail records show.

Niles police said Tuesday the slaying occurred when a dispute between the two men escalated and Kettina shot Asber at about 1 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of a nightclub on the 8800 block of Milwaukee Avenue.

The Cook County medical examiner's office reported Monday that Asber died from a gunshot wound to the chest, and determined his death was a homicide.

The Cook County sheriff's office released a statement Tuesday saying Kettina was hired in November 2021 and de-deputized Sunday as a result of the Niles police investigation.

“The sheriff's office is cooperating in any way it can with the investigation,” the statement adds.

Kettina is scheduled to return to court June 1.