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Robbins, IL (WGN) — Father Michael Pfleger and other church leaders are calling for the firing of a Midlothian police officer who shot and killed a security guard.
Jemel Roberson, 26, was shot and killed around 4 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Manny’s Blue Room Lounge in Robbins.
There was a fight inside the club while Roberson was working as a security guard when a man started shooting. Witnesses said as Roberson was apprehending the shooter, with police from Robbins, Cook County and Crestwood already on the scene, two officers from Midlothian arrived. Within moments, one of them shot Roberson several times.
Midlothian police say Roberson was the victim of “friendly fire.” Some local ministers call it murder.
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave. Midlothian police said the move is standard procedure following a police-involved shooting. The officer will remain on leave until an investigation by outside agencies is complete.
Investigators are trying to determine whether the officer knew Roberson was a security guard. Some witnesses have said he was wearing a hat emblazoned with the word “Security,” and that people were shouting that Roberson was a security guard.
A preliminary report from the Illinois State Police said eyewitnesses told them Roberson was not wearing identifiable security attire and was ordered to drop his weapon but did not, and then was shot.
The officer’s name has not been released.
The mother of Roberson filed a federal lawsuit against the officer and Midlothian Police Department. The lawsuit alleges the officer shot Roberson without provocation and seeks $1 million from the community and the officer.
Clergy members will gather at the Midlothian Police Department at 10 a.m. Friday to demand the immediate firing of the officer.
Roberson was the father of a 9-month-old son and had another child on the way.
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