November 13, 2018

Action Alert:
Call for Charges Against Officer who Killed Jemel Roberson


Update: An autopsy of Jemel Roberson released in response to a FOIA request showed the security guard was shot four times in the back and side with an assault rifle by Midlothian Police Officer Ian Covey. It was also revealed Midlothian Police failed to properly notify the Medical Examiner’s Office about the shooting, so they were unable to visit the crime scene to take photos, interview witnesses, and obtain other relevant information. Covey remains on paid leave.


At around 4:00AM on the morning on November 11, 2018, a security guard at Manny’s Blue Room in the Chicago suburbs told a group of drunken men who were causing trouble to leave. Soon after, one of the man returned to the bar and began shooting. He hit four people in quick succession, wounding them.

Jemel Roberson’s nine-month old son will never grow up to know his father.

It was then that another security guard at Manny’s, 26 year-old Jemel Roberson, sprang into action, running out of the bar to apprehend one of the suspects. Wearing a hat emblazoned with “SECURITY” across the front, Jemel pinned a suspect down by putting his knee, and a handgun, in the small of the man’s back.  Roberson held a valid firearm owner’s identification card and was licensed to be a security guard.

Midlothian Police arrived on the scene and one of their officers drew on Roberson immediately as onlookers screamed, “He’s a security guard!” But the officer pulled the trigger anyway, shooting and killing Roberson in cold blood. Jemel was a dad who hoped to become a police officer.

The officer has been placed on administrative leave but has yet to be charged for the killing. The Illinois State Police is “investigating” the shooting.

Please contact Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx through one of the channels below with the following message (personalized to your liking):

Please bring a charge of manslaughter against the Midlothian Police Department officer who shot and killed Jemel Roberson in the parking lot of Manny’s Blue Room on November 11, 2018. There is no lawful justification for this killing. Roberson was wearing a cap with “SECURITY” emblazoned on it while detaining a dangerous suspect in a multi-casualty shooting. He was HELPING the police. Onlookers screamed “he’s a security guard!” at the Midlothian officer to get him to put down his gun. They were ignored. Roberson was a young man with a nine month-old son. He wanted to be a police officer himself. He didn’t deserve this and justice must be done. Do your job and bring a charge of manslaughter against this Midlothian officer. If there’s an argument be made that this killing was lawful then let a jury hear it and decide. That’s how democracy works. I will be following your actions in this case closely.

Cook County State’s Attorney Kimberly Foxx
Phone: (312) 603-1880
Email: statesattorney@cookcountyil.gov
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SAKimFoxx/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SAKimFoxx

Once you have contacted State’s Attorney Foxx, fill out the three fields below and click the orange banner to report taking action!


This is an action alert, NOT an online petition. Please take the action before filling out the fields below.

189 people have taken this action