Protesters want Midlothian officer charged after fatal shooting of security guard
CHICAGO (Fox 32 News) - Angry protesters were demanding the firing and prosecution of a Midlothian police officer while marching to the village's police department Friday.
They claim the officer shot and killed a security guard in Robbins without justification.
Protesters briefly blocked traffic on Pulaski Road in Midlothian as they prayed for justice in the shooting death of Jemel Roberson. The 26-year-old African American security guard was shot by a white Midlothian Police officer on November 11th as Roberson subdued a suspect outside Manny's Blue Room Lounge in Robbins.
Roberson's girlfriend and her mother joined the protesters Friday.
“I want justice, for Jemel. For his son,” girlfriend Avontea Boose said.
“I just want to say, for the holidays, Jemel missed his baby’s first Christmas, Tristan missed his daddy's first Christmas, so the holiday's will be sad,” said Boose’s mother, Tarsha Williams.
The protesters began in a shopping center parking lot, and then marched several blocks to the Midlothian police station. Midlothian police helped along the route by blocking traffic.
Midlothian's police chief says the officer who shot Roberson has been put on administrative leave, which he says is standard practice after a police shooting.
Illinois State police are handling the investigation. States' Attorney Kim Foxx won't confirm or deny that she's looking at criminal charges.
“We would like to demand that this officer is indicted, and arrested and fired. Those are three demands right there,” said Tio Hardiman of Violence Interrupters.
The Cook County Sheriff's Office has released surveillance photos of three men being sought because they could be eyewitnesses.
Funeral Services for Roberson will be held Saturday morning at the House of Hope Church.