Jemel Quayshawn Roberson, 26, was fatally shot on November 11, 2018, while working as a security guard at Manny’s Blue Room Bar in Robbins, Illinois. Around 4 a.m., a gunman opened fire inside the bar, wounding four people. Roberson, who was licensed to carry, subdued and had the shooter pinned when Midlothian police officer Ian Covey arrived. Despite bystanders shouting that Roberson was a security guard and that he was holding the shooter, Covey shot Roberson multiple times, killing him. The Cook County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death multiple gunshot wounds.

Witnesses said Roberson wore a vest labeled SECURITY; preliminary findings from the Illinois State Police indicated he was in plain black clothing without security markings. The Illinois State Police Public Integrity Task Force and the Cook County Sheriff’s Police interviewed more than 100 witnesses and reviewed 911 calls, radio transmissions and surveillance footage. Officer Covey was placed on paid administrative leave; the Cook County State’s Attorney later declined to file criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence for prosecution.

Roberson, an aspiring police officer, left behind a 9-month-old son and was described as a dedicated security guard and church organist. His family filed a federal lawsuit against Covey and the Village of Midlothian alleging excessive force and wrongful death. Does anyone have information or firsthand observations from that night that could shed light on what happened?