Father Pfleger requests the dismissal of the officer who shot Robbins' security officer

MIDLOTHIAN, Ill. (WLS) –

Friends of a security guard Robbins who were killed by Midlothian police during the weekend while they were working organized a night vigil at Lane Tech High School.

Jemel Roberson, 26, graduated from Lane Tech eight years ago.

"He was my friend, he was my friend and I loved him," said Blair Williams, a friend, through his tears. "And it's not fair."

Williams went out with Roberson in high school and went to the ball with him. She watched him play basketball and sang with him in gospel choirs.

"He was an extraordinary musician, he really worked a lot," she said. "He was a genuine person and that should never have happened to him."

Earlier in the day, church officials and community activists have called for deadly gun killing and have called for the resignation of the police officer responsible on Friday.

Father Michael Pfleger and other church leaders also demanded that the officer be charged with murder and demanded the immediate release of his identity. The leaders are asking Kim Foxx, Cook County's lawyer, to conduct the investigation at the Illinois State Police.

"They have to charge him with murder – it's what it was, it was a murder," Pfleger said. "It was not a blue crime, but a black crime.This was not an accidental shootout."

Unidentified midlothian police department officer shot Roberson Sunday morning.

"The police far too often shoot people of color, it is time to act more responsively to these incidents.I call for the immediate resignation of the officer who killed Jemel Roberson. Whatever the results of the investigation, this officer has already shown that he lacked the basic professional judgment to wear the badge and serve our communities in a police way, "said the senator. State, Emil Jones III, in a statement released Friday. "As we learn more about the case, I will continue to do everything in my power to ensure justice."

Witnesses to the shooting said Roberson was apprehending an armed gunman who shot several people during a brawl at a bar in the Blue Room Lounge from Manny to Robbins.

Police from Robbins, Cook County and Crestwood were already on the scene when two Midlothian officers arrived.

Witnesses testified that Roberson wore clothes that identified him as being security. State police who investigated the case said that Roberson wore a plain black garment without any marks.
"We call for the immediate release of the autopsy report because it will show exactly what it was wearing," said Pastor Walter Turner. "The report will show us how many times he has been killed."

"We will not tolerate a cover-up, we will not tolerate it being swept away, and we call for a thorough investigation," said Pastor Marshall Hatch.

Roberson's girlfriend, Avontea Boose, said that she was the mother of Roberson's 9-month-old son and that she was pregnant with her second child. Boose plans to file a complaint against Midlothian village.

Those who knew Roberson described him as a gifted basketball player and a musician playing the organ for several churches.

"I am here as a black man.A black man who is just tired – tired of being abused, tired of seeing things turn the wrong way, tired that the story is exactly the same in every situation, "said Pastor Leaundre Hill.

Shooter Roberson was apprehensive of hospitalized remains and has not yet been charged.