Mourners attend funeral for security guard shot by officer
Jemel Roberson couldn’t wait until his 9-month-old son’s first Christmas. He also had a baby on the way.
He won’t see either take their first steps. The 26-year-old was killed on November 11th by a white Midlothian police officer.
Witnesses at the scene of Manny’s Blue Room Lounge told FOX 32 that Jemel was working as armed security at the bar.
He was at the bar in the early morning hours when someone booted from the business came back and started firing in the crowd. Roberson returned fire and had a suspect at gun point on the ground in the parking lot.
As routine when a serious crime occurs, Robbins PD called for backup. Blue Island and Midlothian Police responded.
Witnesses told us they screamed out to a Midlothian officer that started shooting at Jemel. They were trying to tell the Midlothian officer that Jemel was security, but the officer mistook him for a suspect.
In the days since Jemel Roberson’s death, there has been protest and controversy.
Midlothian Police call the shooting death by their officer “friendly fire.”
Illinois State Police released details saying Roberson had nothing on that identified him as a police officer. Bar-goers say he had on a shirt and hat that read security.
On Saturday at House of Hope in the Pullman neighborhood, hundreds gathered to remember Jemel.
“I thank God for the son that God blessed me with. I thought I couldn’t have children and God saw fit and I thank him for that,” said Beatrice Roberson, mother of Jemel Roberson.
Beatrice Roberson says Jemel was her only son. She’s hurt but has a message for the Midlothian officer that took her son’s life.
“I don’t hate him, I pray for him.”
Earlier this week, a US District Judge denied a motion to release the Midlothian officer’s name. The family says they want Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx to investigate. Until that happens, the Roberson family says they won’t stop seeking justice for Jemel.
“It’s not about getting even… justice will be served in God’s time,” said Beatrice Roberson.
The Roberson family has filed a $1-million lawsuit against the Midlothian officer and his police department.