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Alton Sterling Shooting in Baton Rouge Prompts Justice Dept. Investigation Alton Sterling Shooting in Baton Rouge Prompts Justice Dept. Investigation
(about 2 hours later)
The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation on Wednesday into the fatal shooting of a black man by the Baton Rouge police that was captured on video, as city and state leaders appealed to a city roiled by the killing to remain calm. BATON ROUGE, La. — The Justice Department opened a civil rights investigation on Wednesday into the fatal shooting of a black man by the Baton Rouge, La., police after a searing video of the encounter, aired repeatedly on television and social media, reignited contentious issues surrounding police killings of African-Americans.
Two white officers were arresting Alton B. Sterling, 37, early Tuesday, and had him pinned to the ground when at least one of them shot him. There was some confusion about whether Mr. Sterling had a gun — though the police chief said during a news conference that officers were responding the reports of an armed man. Officials from Gov. John Bel Edwards to the local police and elected officials vowed a complete and transparent investigation and appealed to the city — after a numbing series of high-profile, racially charged incidents elsewhere — to remain calm.
The episode was partially captured on video, propelling the case to national attention, like a string of recorded police shootings before it. The shooting prompted protests, and relatives of Mr. Sterling, civic leaders and state lawmakers demanded an investigation independent of the Baton Rouge police. “I have full confidence that this matter will be investigated thoroughly, impartially and professionally,” Mr. Edwards said in announcing the federal takeover of the case. “I have very serious concerns. The video is disturbing, to say the least.”
“I have full confidence that this matter will be investigated thoroughly, impartially and professionally,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said in announcing the federal takeover of the case. “I have very serious concerns. The video is disturbing, to say the least.” Urging patience while the investigation takes place, the governor said: “I know that that may be tough for some, but it’s essential that we do that. I know that there are protests going on, but it’s urgent that they remain peaceful.”
Pleading for calm, the governor said: “I know that that may be tough for some, but it’s essential that we do that. I know that there are protests going on, but it’s urgent that they remain peaceful.” Two white officers were arresting Alton B. Sterling, 37, early Tuesday after responding to a call about an armed man. The officers had Mr. Sterling pinned to the ground when at least one of them shot him.
The decision to have the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the F.B.I. and the United States Attorney’s Office in Baton Rouge conduct the investigation was welcomed by a lawyer for Mr. Sterling’s family. “We’re confident that it won’t be swept under the rug,” said the lawyer, Edmond Jordan, who is also a state representative. “I think people are confident that justice will be pursued.” The video of the shooting propelled the case to national attention, like a string of recorded police shootings before it. The shooting has prompted protests here in the Louisiana capital, including a boisterous but peaceful gathering in advance of a vigil on Wednesday night in front of the storefront where the shooting happened.
Officials identified the two officers as Blane Salamoni, who has been with the Police Department for four years, and Howie Lake II, with three years’ experience; both have been placed on administrative leave. The decision to have the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, the F.B.I. and the United States attorney’s office in Baton Rouge conduct the investigation was welcomed by a lawyer for Mr. Sterling’s family.
A call to a phone number for Mr. Salamoni was answered by a man who said he was not the officer, but who would not identify himself. “When all the all the facts come out, they did what they had to do,” the man said, and then hung up. “We’re confident that it won’t be swept under the rug,” said the lawyer, Edmond Jordan, who is also a state representative. “I think people are confident that justice will be pursued.”
Mr. Salamoni is the son of Noel Salamoni, a captain in the department who is in charge of special operations, a fact that may have factored into the decision to turn matters over to the Justice Department. Officials identified the two officers as Blane Salamoni, who has been with the Police Department for four years, and Howie Lake II, with three years’ experience. Both have been placed on administrative leave.
Local and state officials endorsed that the federal takeover of the case. “We feel it is in the best interest of the Baton Rouge Police Department, the city of Baton Rouge and this community for this to happen,” the police chief, Carl Dabadie Jr., said. A call to a phone number for Mr. Salamoni was answered by a man who said he was not the officer, but who would not identify himself. “When all the facts come out, they did what they had to do,” the man said, and then hung up.
In other cities with high-profile deaths of people in police custody — among them Cleveland, Baltimore and Ferguson, Mo.— when local law enforcement agencies have kept control of the investigations and prosecution, they have often drawn intense criticism for their handling of the cases. Mr. Salamoni is the son of Noel Salamoni, a captain in the department who is in charge of special operations.
There are multiple videos that may show the conflict with Mr. Sterling, in addition to the one recorded by a bystander that has been made public, Lt. Jonny Dunnam, a Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman, said at a news conference. Mr. Jordan, the family lawyer, called on the police to release the videos, but Lieutenant Dunnam said that for now, the department was providing them only to the federal authorities. Local and state officials endorsed the federal takeover of the case. “We feel it is in the best interest of the Baton Rouge Police Department, the city of Baton Rouge and this community for this to happen,” the police chief, Carl Dabadie Jr., said.
In other cities with high-profile deaths of people in police custody — among them Cleveland, Baltimore and Ferguson, Mo. — when local law enforcement agencies have kept control of the investigations and prosecution, they have often drawn intense criticism for their handling of the cases.
There are multiple videos that may show the conflict with Mr. Sterling, in addition to the one recorded by a bystander that has been made public, said Lt. Jonny Dunnam, a Baton Rouge Police Department spokesman, at a news conference. Mr. Jordan, the family lawyer, called on the police to release the videos, but Lieutenant Dunnam said that for now, the department was providing them only to the federal authorities.
“We have in-car camera video footage, we have body camera video footage and there is video at the store,” Lieutenant Dunnam said. Of the recordings from the body cameras the officers wore, he said: “That footage may not be as good as we hoped for. During the altercation those body cameras came dislodged.”“We have in-car camera video footage, we have body camera video footage and there is video at the store,” Lieutenant Dunnam said. Of the recordings from the body cameras the officers wore, he said: “That footage may not be as good as we hoped for. During the altercation those body cameras came dislodged.”
At an earlier news conference on Wednesday, family members, elected officials and civic leaders demanded to know why Mr. Sterling had been killed. Some of them, including the local N.A.A.C.P. president, Mike McClanahan, called on Mr. Dabadie to resign. At an earlier news conference on Wednesday, family members, elected officials and civic leaders demanded to know why Mr. Sterling had been killed. Some of them, including the local N.A.A.C.P. president, Mike McClanahan, called on Chief Dabadie to resign.
Cameron Sterling, Mr. Sterling’s 15-year-old son, wept uncontrollably as his mother, Quinyetta McMillon, delivered a statement.Cameron Sterling, Mr. Sterling’s 15-year-old son, wept uncontrollably as his mother, Quinyetta McMillon, delivered a statement.
“The individuals involved in his murder took away a man with children who depended upon their daddy on a daily basis,” Ms. McMillon said, adding, “As a mother I have now been forced to raise a son who is going to remember what happened to his father.”“The individuals involved in his murder took away a man with children who depended upon their daddy on a daily basis,” Ms. McMillon said, adding, “As a mother I have now been forced to raise a son who is going to remember what happened to his father.”
On Tuesday, a person called the police to report that a black man selling music CD’s outside the Triple S Food Mart on North Foster Drive, who was wearing a red shirt, had threatened him with a gun, the Police Department said. Two officers arrived and confronted Mr. Sterling about 12:35 a.m. On Tuesday, a person called the police to report that a black man selling music CDs outside the Triple S Food Mart on North Foster Drive, who was wearing a red shirt, had threatened him with a gun, the Police Department said. Two officers arrived and confronted Mr. Sterling about 12:35 a.m.
Mr. Sterling had a long criminal history, including convictions for battery and illegal possession of a gun, but it is not clear whether the officers knew that any of that as they tried to arrest him. Mr. Sterling had a long criminal history, including convictions for battery and illegal possession of a gun, but it is not clear whether the officers knew any of that as they tried to arrest him.
The cellphone video shot by a bystander, which was released later in the day, shows an officer pushing Mr. Sterling onto the hood of the car and then tackling him to the ground. He is then held to the pavement by two officers, and one officer appears to hold a gun above Mr. Sterling’s chest. (The linked video is graphic.)The cellphone video shot by a bystander, which was released later in the day, shows an officer pushing Mr. Sterling onto the hood of the car and then tackling him to the ground. He is then held to the pavement by two officers, and one officer appears to hold a gun above Mr. Sterling’s chest. (The linked video is graphic.)
At one point someone on the video can be heard saying, “He’s got a gun! Gun!” and one officer can be seen pulling his weapon. After some shouting, what sound like gunshots can be heard and the camera shifts away, and then there are more apparent gunshots.At one point someone on the video can be heard saying, “He’s got a gun! Gun!” and one officer can be seen pulling his weapon. After some shouting, what sound like gunshots can be heard and the camera shifts away, and then there are more apparent gunshots.
The local paper, The Advocate, posted a second video Wednesday afternoon that showed the shooting from a different angle. A second video of the shooting, filmed by the owner of the store and first posted by the local newspaper, The Advocate, on Wednesday afternoon, showed the shooting from a different angle. It also shows one of the officers taking something out of Mr. Sterling’s pocket after he was shot and was lying on the ground.
The police have not said whether Mr. Sterling had a gun, but witnesses have said they saw a handgun on the ground next to him. Mr. Jordan, the lawyer, said Mr. Sterling’s relatives were not aware of him owning a gun. Witnesses have said they saw a handgun on the ground next to him. Mr. Jordan, the lawyer, said Mr. Sterling’s relatives were not aware of him owning a gun.
Arthur Reed, the founder of Stop The Killing, the group that released the cellphone footage, said he only saw a gun after Mr. Sterling had been fatally shot. The group, a youth mentoring program, had heard reports on a police scanner about an arrest at the store, and showed up to gather video for potential use in a documentary about urban violence. Arthur Reed, the founder of Stop the Killing, the group that released the cellphone video, said he saw a gun only after Mr. Sterling had been fatally shot. The group, a mentoring program for youths, had heard reports on a police scanner about an arrest at the store, and showed up to gather video for potential use in a documentary about urban violence.
Mr. Reed said the group decided to release its video after he heard that the police had accused Mr. Sterling of reaching for a gun.Mr. Reed said the group decided to release its video after he heard that the police had accused Mr. Sterling of reaching for a gun.
“He never reached in the video,” Mr. Reed said. “He never did anything.”“He never reached in the video,” Mr. Reed said. “He never did anything.”
William Clark, the coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish, said that Mr. Sterling had died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and back. Lieutenant Dunnam declined to say whether both officers fired their guns, or if either of them used an electric stun device on Mr. Sterling.William Clark, the coroner of East Baton Rouge Parish, said that Mr. Sterling had died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds to the chest and back. Lieutenant Dunnam declined to say whether both officers fired their guns, or if either of them used an electric stun device on Mr. Sterling.
Mr. Sterling’s name began trending on Twitter Tuesday night, as people expressed disgust and anguish at his death. Images from social media showed large numbers of protesters marching in Baton Rouge. In a Twitter post early Wednesday, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson called the shooting a “legal lynching.” Mr. Sterling’s name began trending on Twitter Tuesday night as people expressed disgust and anguish at his death. In a statement on the killing, Hillary Clinton said, ”Something is profoundly wrong when so many Americans have reason to believe that our country doesn’t consider them as precious as others because of the color of their skin.”
A crowd outside of the Triple S Food Mart on Tuesday swelled to more than 200 people, according to The Baton Rouge Advocate, with many demanding that the officers be punished. At times, they chanted, “Black lives matter,” and “Hands up, don’t shoot,” rallying cries that have echoed at protests across the country in recent years over concerns about racial bias in shootings by police officers. Long before his death and sent his name trending, Mr. Sterling was known well around his part of Baton Rouge.
By Wednesday morning, a makeshift memorial was set up outside the Triple S Food Mart. A vigil was scheduled to be held there at 6 p.m. “I was there when they brought him home in his diapers as a baby,” said the Rev. Carl Williams, Mr. Sterling’s family’s pastor. “He was a big, jolly giant,” he said of Mr. Sterling.
By Wednesday evening, the parking lot of the Triple S was jammed with protesters and TV cameras. The protesters, young and old and nearly all African-American, waved signs declaring that black lives matter.
Anthony Anderson, 62, a tour bus driver, and his cousin, David Jones, 60, who is self-employed, said they had had enough.
“I just think it looked like there could have been another way to handle that situation,” Mr. Anderson said of the video. He said that it seemed to him that the police here had long been harassing black people.
The videos made just as little sense to Leroy Tackno, 60, the manager of the Living Waters Outreach Ministry transitional housing center where Mr. Sterling kept a small bedroom for $90 a week. He said that Mr. Sterling had never been any trouble.
“I’m just trying to figure out what did he do,” Mr. Tackno said. “All he did was sell CDs.”