IL - Midlothian police officer shoots and kills armed security guard Jemel Roberson, 11 Nov 2018

[The 13th]

Officer shoots, kills armed security guard outside south suburban bar

ROBBINS, Ill. — Witnesses said a Midlothian police officer responding to a shooting inside a south suburban bar shot and killed the wrong person early Sunday morning.

After security asked a group of drunken men to leave Manny’s Blue Room Bar around 4 a.m. Sunday, witnesses said someone came back with a gun and opened fire. Security returned fire, and according to witnesses, 26-year-old armed security guard Jemel Roberson apprehended one of the men involved outside.

"He had somebody on the ground with his knee in back, with his gun in his back like, 'Don’t move,'" witness Adam Harris said.

Soon after, witnesses said, an officer responding to the scene fired at Roberson — killing him.

"Everybody was screaming out, 'He was a security guard,'"

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Friends said Roberson was an upstanding guy who was also a musician, playing keyboard and drums at several Chicago-area churches, who had plans to become a police officer.

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The Cook County Sheriff's Office is handling the criminal investigation of the original shooting, while the State Police Public Integrity Task Force is investigating the police-involved shooting.

Officer shoots, kills armed security guard outside south suburban bar

 

[Jax49]

Damn. Here we are again. One more quick quote from the article:

"Once again, it’s the continued narrative that we see of shoot first, ask questions later," the Rev. LeAundre Hill of Purposed Church said.

bbm

 

[Jax49]

Midlothian police officer shoots bouncer at Robbins night club

Midlothian police said one of their officers -- who was called to assist Robbins police -- fatally shot bouncer Jemel Roberson after entering the bar and seeing him holding a gun.

Roberson was an organist at New Spiritual Light Baptist Church in Chicago.

"How in the world does the security guard get shot by police?" asked the church's pastor, Walter Turner. "A young man that was literally doing his job and now he's gone."

Those who knew Roberson described him as a man of God who shared his musical talents at several churches around the city, last rehearsing at this South Shore church on Thursday.

 

[rainynights]

My heart goes out to his family. This is beyond tragic.

RIP Jemel.

 

[kaen]

I agree beyond tragic. Almost, downright criminal. How does this happen?

 

[kaen]

"A spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff's Office said Roberson had a valid FOID card, but did not have a concealed-carry license."

Officer shoots, kills armed security guard outside south suburban bar


If the gun was out, then it was not concealed. Why are they commenting on this? It can make it seem like Mr. Roberson was the cause of his own shooting. Hmmmmm.

 

[Jennifer17]

"A spokeswoman for the Cook County Sheriff's Office said Roberson had a valid FOID card, but did not have a concealed-carry license."

Officer shoots, kills armed security guard outside south suburban bar


If the gun was out, then it was not concealed. Why are they commenting on this? It can make it seem like Mr. Roberson was the cause of his own shooting. Hmmmmm.

Don't they wear them on a holster on their hip? That is not concealed.

 

[TGIRecovered]

If the were reversed- security guard pinned on the ground, shooter on top with gun pointed at him, this officer would be a hero.
He had an obligation to save the life of the person on the ground. If he hadn’t shot and the person on the ground was murdered, people would be criticizing him for not shooting the person on top.

When someone is about to be murdered right in front of a cop, there is no time to politely start asking questions. The cop was responding to an active shooter situation. The man with the gun point blank in someone’s back would appear to be the shooter, about to kill the person on the ground. It’s a tragedy that the good guy was killed but it was not irresponsible on the part of the cop.
In my opinion, this was a tragic but understandable mistake.

 

[Jax49]

I wonder if charges will be filed? IMHO, they definitely should be.

 

[The 13th]

I agree. Shooting blindly is not anyone's idea of appropriate or smart.

 

[Indy Anna]

Lawsuit: Illinois guard shot by police had on security hat

Jemel Roberson, 26, was wearing a hat with "security" emblazoned across the front when he was shot early Sunday following the shooting at Manny's Blue Room in Robbins, just south of Chicago. Four other people were shot and wounded, including a man who authorities believe fired a gun before officers arrived, Cook County sheriff's spokeswoman Sophia Ansari said.

When police arrived at the scene, Roberson was holding "somebody on the ground with his knee in his back, with his gun in his back," witness Adam Harris told WGN-TV.

"Everybody is screaming out, 'He's a security guard,'" Harris said.

Whatever happened to ordering, "Drop the gun!" before shooting. Giving a person with a gun the chance to at least drop the gun would have avoided the death of an innocent man. IMO

Also, observe the scene and listen to witnesses. Know who the target is before firing. Again, MOO.

 

[Jennifer17]

If the were reversed- security guard pinned on the ground, shooter on top with gun pointed at him, this officer would be a hero.
He had an obligation to save the life of the person on the ground. If he hadn’t shot and the person on the ground was murdered, people would be criticizing him for not shooting the person on top.

When someone is about to be murdered right in front of a cop, there is no time to politely start asking questions. The cop was responding to an active shooter situation. The man with the gun point blank in someone’s back would appear to be the shooter, about to kill the person on the ground. It’s a tragedy that the good guy was killed but it was not irresponsible on the part of the cop.
In my opinion, this was a tragic but understandable mistake.

The man was wearing a security guard uniform.

 

[liltexans]

Sometimes I'm reminded of just how small the world is. This young man, Jemel, is a former student of one of my friends. My friend works for the Chicago Public School District and Jemel is the fifth student she's lost over the past few years. She has nothing but good things to say about him. This is an utter tragedy.

 

[Indy Anna]

Sometimes I'm reminded of just how small the world is. This young man, Jemel, is a former student of one of my friends. My friend works for the Chicago Public School District and Jemel is the fifth student she's lost over the past few years. She has nothing but good things to say about him. This is an utter tragedy.

How sad.
Condolences to your friend, as well as Jemel's family and friends, and all who knew him.

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Cops claim white officer only shot dead a black security guard who was holding down a suspect after he was told to drop his gun 'multiple times' - but victim's co-worker says he heard NOTHING

Conflicting reports over whether white cop told black security guard to drop gun before shooting him | Daily Mail Online

 

[Blondie in Spokane]

Kanye West donates $150,000 to family of hero Chicago security guard who was shot dead by cops as he tackled a gunman

Kanye West donates $150,000 to family of Jemel Roberson after he was killed by Chicago police | Daily Mail Online