Security Guard Fatally Shot by Police Had Baby on the Way: Attorneys

A 26-year-old armed security guard fatally shot by a police officer in suburban Chicago this week had a baby on the way, his attorneys said Tuesday. Jemel Roberson was killed Sunday morning after Midlothian Police officers responding to reports of an active shooter at Manny’s Blue Room nightclub apparently mistook him for the suspected gunman and fired. Witnesses said Roberson had actually apprehended the shooting suspect when officers arrived and despite several people shouting that he was a security guard, he was shot as soon as officers saw him with a gun in his hand. Lawyers for Roberson’s family said Tuesday that he was the father of a 9-month-old son named Tristan, whose mother, Avontea Boose, is now carrying the couple’s second child, CBS Chicago reports. Amid growing public outrage over Roberson’s death, Midlothian Police Chief Daniel Delany acknowledged Tuesday that Roberson was “a brave man who was doing his best to end an active-shooter situation at Manny’s Blue Room,” adding that there had initially been “conflicting reports” about whether he was the suspect or a security guard. Delany also confirmed Tuesday that the officer who shot Roberson was white, though no further details were provided on his identity. The officer has been placed on administrative leave, he said. Illinois State Police are investigating the officer’s conduct.