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Alton Sterling shooting: US authorities to investigate | Alton Sterling shooting: US authorities to investigate |
(35 minutes later) | |
The US Justice Department's civil rights division will lead an investigation into a police shooting of a black man in Louisiana. | The US Justice Department's civil rights division will lead an investigation into a police shooting of a black man in Louisiana. |
Video footage appeared to show two white police officers holding down and fatally shooting Alton Sterling, 37, in Baton Rouge. | Video footage appeared to show two white police officers holding down and fatally shooting Alton Sterling, 37, in Baton Rouge. |
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said the US attorney's office, the FBI and state police will also be involved. | Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said the US attorney's office, the FBI and state police will also be involved. |
"The video is disturbing to say the least," he said. | "The video is disturbing to say the least," he said. |
Blane Salamoni, a four-year veteran on the force, and Howie Lake II, a three-year veteran, were placed on administrative leave over the death, officials said. | |
The shooting on Tuesday sparked protests from about 200 people who gathered at the scene where Mr Sterling was shot, blocking roads and chanting: "Black lives matter". | The shooting on Tuesday sparked protests from about 200 people who gathered at the scene where Mr Sterling was shot, blocking roads and chanting: "Black lives matter". |
The governor called for unity and urged protesters to remain calm as authorities conduct an investigation the shooting. | |
"I have full confidence that this matter will be investigated thoroughly, impartially and professionally, and I will demand that's the way it's conducted." Governor Bel Edwards said. | |
The incident comes amid mounting tension in the US over the deaths of black men at the hands of police. | |
There are more than 1,000 deadly shootings by police in the US each year, and disproportionate numbers of those killed are black Americans. | |
Police spokesman Cpl L'Jean McKneely said the officers had been called in after reports that a man selling CDs outside a convenience store had threatened someone with a gun. | Police spokesman Cpl L'Jean McKneely said the officers had been called in after reports that a man selling CDs outside a convenience store had threatened someone with a gun. |
Mobile video footage appeared to show two officers wrestling a man in a red shirt to the floor. | Mobile video footage appeared to show two officers wrestling a man in a red shirt to the floor. |
One of the officers pinned the man's arm to the floor with his knee and then appeared to pull out his gun and point it at the man. | One of the officers pinned the man's arm to the floor with his knee and then appeared to pull out his gun and point it at the man. |
A voice is heard shouting: "He's got a gun. Gun." Then shots ring out and the camera moves away. | A voice is heard shouting: "He's got a gun. Gun." Then shots ring out and the camera moves away. |
Mr Sterling, a father of five, died at the scene. | Mr Sterling, a father of five, died at the scene. |
Cameron Sterling, Mr Sterling's 15-year-old son, began crying at a news conference as his mother spoke. | |
"He had to watch this as this was put all over the outlets," Quinyetta McMillon, Cameron Sterling's mother said. | |
"As a mother I have now been forced to raise a son who is going to remember what happened to his father." |