Cop Fights Back at Ronald Johnson's Mother's Alleged Threats

BEVERLY-MT. GREENWOOD -- A Chicago police officer is seekings sanctions against a woman who is suing him in the fatal shooting of her son in October 2014.

Officer George Hernandez claims that Dorothy Holmes, the mother of 25-year-old Ronald Johnson who was shot to death as he fled police, is posing a serious safety threat to him and his family. Johnson’s shooting was caught on a police dashcam.

Holmes has filed a civil suit in federal court against the police officer and the City of Chicago. Johnson’s family has maintained that he was unarmed when he was shot by Hernandez. They had the release of the video would lead to criminal charges against Hernandez.

Earlier this month, Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez cleared Hernandez of any wrongdoing, claiming that an enhanced image from the video showed Johnson holding what appeared to be a gun in his hand.

“It’s our determination that no criminal charges will be filed against Officer George Hernandez in the shooting death of Ronald Johnson,” Cook County State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez said on Dec. 7, 2015.

• Also on Patch: Video Shows Police Shooting Ronald Johnson

Holmes has created a Facebook page, Justice for Ronnie Man, repeatedly calling out Hernandez as a “murderer” and “terrorist,” and has appeared at protests calling for the resignations of Alvarez and Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

The police officer’s attorneys are now accusing Holmes of surreptitiously taking a photo of Hernandez as he sat for a deposition on Nov. 19.

The motion accuses Holmes of disseminating the police officer’s photo on Facebook along with “highly charged derogatory comments.” Holmes’ attorneys were reportedly contacted and she removed the picture from Facebook.

Hernandez’s attorneys said Holmes blasted the officer’s picture again on Twitter, with the caption: “George Hernandez the CPD terrorist who murdered Ronnieman. Justice will be served one day Ins #JusticeforRonnieMan”.

• Also on Patch: Cop in Ronald Johnson Police Shooting Will Not Be Charged: Alvarez

The court motion contends that the police officer’s photo has been used as a poster at various protests, along with the caption “Murderer” and what appears to be a bloody handprint.

Calling Johnson’s mother’s conduct “arguably inappropriate,” she is further accused of crossing the line with comments she made at a public protest with numerous news outlets present when speaking of Officer Hernandez:

“You forgot, I love my kid just as well as he loves his 15 year old and his 17 year old. What goes around comes around. And he can take it how he wanna take it. If he wanna take it as a threat, it was a threat. And I ain’t backing down.”

Holmes’ behavior has not only threatened him but his two minor children but inciting violence against them. “And she has also made clear that she does not intend to stop,” the court motion says.

The motion contends, that, “juxtaposed with the current political climate,” Holmes’ statements “are extremely serious as they endanger the lives of two minor children, who are not parties to this lawsuit. It is akin to yelling fire in a crowded theater.”

The police officer’s attorneys are requesting judicial intervention. The motion maintains Holmes had made it aware publicly that she is aware of the threat and “they can come and lock me up if they feel like he is in danger.”

The motion further states there is nothing to stop Holmes from posting Hernandez’s home address or photos of his children and where they go to school.

“She was emotional. She is not a threat to anybody,” Holmes attorney, Michael Oppenheimer, told ABC 7 Chicago. “She just wants justice for her son and to go after a grieving mother like that is just ridiculous,” said Michael Oppenheimer, Holmes’ attorney.”

The judge overseeing Holmes’ case against the police officer and the city wants to meet with all the involved parties on Jan. 6.