Video released from night of Robbins nightclub police shooting that killed security guard Jemel Roberson

Eric Horng Image
Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Roberson video released
Video from the night 26-year-old Jemel Roberson was fatally shot has been released. ABC 7 obtained the footage through a Freedom of Information Act request.

Dozens of clips from police bodycam, dashcam and cellphones from the night of a fatal shooting at Manny's Blue Room in Robbins were released on Monday.

Security guard Jemel Roberson, 26, was killed in November at the nightclub by Midlothian police Officer Ian Covey, who was assisting with other police departments to reports of shots fired at the Robbins club.

The video footage was released in response to a Freedom of Information Act request.

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Police video from the night of a Robbins nightclub police shooting was released by the Cook County Sheriff's Department.

In one of the recordings, the apparent gunshots that brought a swarm of police to that Robbins bar can be heard.

Minutes after that November shooting at Manny's Blue Room in Robbins, Roberson was fatally shot by Covey.

The video does not show Roberson being shot. It seems Officer Covey was not wearing a body cam.

The videos do show a flood of anger that Roberson was shot.

RELATED: 'This was homicidal policing': Controversy grows after Midlothian cop shoots security guard Jemel Roberson

The initial findings from Illinois State Police, which is investigating the officer's use of force, suggested Roberson was not wearing anything that identified him as a security guard.

However, attorneys for Roberson's family have disputed that finding. The videos released Monday show what appears to be another security guard telling an officer that Roberson was wearing a security vest.

Video from inside the bar shows the altercation that apparently led to the gunfire, showing people pushing each other and at least one man being dragged outside.

RELATED: Midlothian police officer shoots bouncer at Robbins night club

While state police are investigating Roberson's fatal shooting, the Cook County Sheriff's Department is investigating the initial gunfire at the bar.

Nearly three months after the shooting, no arrests have been made.

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