By Liz Roberts
November 15, 2018
Our hearts are broken for the loved ones of Jemel Roberson, a black security guard who was shot and killed by police this past weekend in a suburb of Chicago.
Despite others on the scene shouting to police that Roberson was a security guard who had heroically subdued the actual gunman, he was reportedly mistaken for the assailant by police.
Safe Horizon partners with law enforcement and we know the very important role they play in keeping communities safe. At the same time, the killing of another black man by police officers is deeply painful and we recognize that police violence is a reality affecting black communities across the country. Mr. Roberson was a father, and now his loved ones and his community are in mourning.
As an anti-violence organization committed to addressing racism, we strongly reject the biased perception of black men as perpetrators of violence, which likely played into Roberson’s killing. We call for a thorough and transparent investigation into what led to Mr. Roberson’s death. Most of all, our heartfelt thoughts and condolences go out to his family, his 9-month-old son, and loved ones.