Jemel Roberson was protecting a bar, Manny’s Blue Room, in the Chicago suburb of Midlothian, from an angry drunken customer.
Roberson, who was armed at the time, grabbed one of the men, held him down and waited for police, according to witnesses.
However when the police arrived, one of the officers shot at Roberson, who died later.
[A witness] said the officer shot an innocent man and that people on the scene tried to warn police that Roberson was a security guard.
“Everybody was screaming out, ‘Security!’ He was a security guard ... and they still did their job, and saw a black man with a gun, and basically killed him,” Harris said.
There is very little information yet on this horrific incident. Especially from the police.
Midlothian Police Chief Dan Delaney confirmed the shooting, telling reporters, “A Midlothian officer encountered a subject with a gun and was involved in an officer-involved shooting.” The department said the Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force would investigate the shooting in order to “ensure transparency and maintain public trust.”
Roberson wanted to be a police officer, himself. He probably would have been a good one.
Monday, Nov 12, 2018 · 11:10:52 PM +00:00 · barskin
From the Washington Post:
‘They basically saw a black man with a gun’: Police kill armed guard while responding to call
It began in a way gun advocates have suggested would curtail violence. A gun comes out. Shots are fired. A “good guy with a gun” steps in to help before police can respond.
The tidy theoretical doesn’t account for the chaotic unknowns when police arrive and can’t tell a “good guy” with a gun from a “bad guy” with a gun.
The theory turned to grim reality at Manny’s Blue Room Bar in Robbins, Ill., outside Chicago early Sunday.
Police shot and killed the good guy. Jemel Roberson, 26, was working security.
“Everybody was screaming out, ‘He was a security guard,’ and they basically saw a black man with a gun and killed him,” witness Adam Harris told WGN.
Tuesday, Nov 13, 2018 · 12:48:08 PM +00:00
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barskin
Thank you, everyone, for sharing this story. I am upset and outraged that this is not a major news item. Currently, Eli Manning and the Giants are trending on Twitter. People should be talking about what happened to Jemel Roberson. I am sure local people and the Roberson family are demanding answers; we need the voices from all over the country to join that demand.