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Alton Sterling shooting: Second video emerges of police killing black man | Alton Sterling shooting: Second video emerges of police killing black man |
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New video footage has emerged of the fatal police shooting of a black man in Louisiana, showing one of the officers involved taking what looks like a gun out of Alton Sterling's pocket as the father of five lies dying on the ground. | New video footage has emerged of the fatal police shooting of a black man in Louisiana, showing one of the officers involved taking what looks like a gun out of Alton Sterling's pocket as the father of five lies dying on the ground. |
There have already been demonstrations from protesters shouting “Black Lives matter” after a first video appeared to show two white police officers holding Mr Sterling down and shooting him in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Tuesday. | There have already been demonstrations from protesters shouting “Black Lives matter” after a first video appeared to show two white police officers holding Mr Sterling down and shooting him in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Tuesday. |
A second video, recorded by a local shopkeeper from a different angle, has now emerged. | A second video, recorded by a local shopkeeper from a different angle, has now emerged. |
It appears to show Mr Sterling, 37, already on the ground, with one police officer kneeling beside him and the other apparently straddling his legs. | It appears to show Mr Sterling, 37, already on the ground, with one police officer kneeling beside him and the other apparently straddling his legs. |
After someone shouts the word “gun”, both officers appear to draw their weapons. At least two shots are fired. | After someone shouts the word “gun”, both officers appear to draw their weapons. At least two shots are fired. |
The camera pans away from the scene, but a further burst of gunfire can be heard on the audio. | The camera pans away from the scene, but a further burst of gunfire can be heard on the audio. |
When the camera pans back, one officer can be seen lying on his side pointing his gun at Mr Sterling, who now has a large pool of blood on his chest. | When the camera pans back, one officer can be seen lying on his side pointing his gun at Mr Sterling, who now has a large pool of blood on his chest. |
A passer-by can be heard asking: “What was that for, man?” A police officer is heard saying: “Shots fired, shots fired.” | A passer-by can be heard asking: “What was that for, man?” A police officer is heard saying: “Shots fired, shots fired.” |
As Mr Sterling slowly moves his left arm, the second officer comes into view , removes what appears to be a gun from Mr Sterling’s right trouser pocket, and walks away with it. | As Mr Sterling slowly moves his left arm, the second officer comes into view , removes what appears to be a gun from Mr Sterling’s right trouser pocket, and walks away with it. |
The video clip was filmed by Abdullah Muflahi, the owner of the convenience store outside which the shooting occurred. The police officers had been called after reports that a man selling CDs outside the convenience store had threatened someone with a gun. | |
Mr Muflahi told reporters: “I was just in shock. They shot him three times, and rolled off of him. Then they shot him three more times. | |
“That’s his gun they are taking out of his pocket. | “That’s his gun they are taking out of his pocket. |
“As soon as I finished the video, I put my phone in my pocket. I knew they would take it from me, if they knew I had it. They took my security camera videos. They told me they had a warrant, but didn’t show me one. So I kept this video for myself. Otherwise, what proof do I have?” | “As soon as I finished the video, I put my phone in my pocket. I knew they would take it from me, if they knew I had it. They took my security camera videos. They told me they had a warrant, but didn’t show me one. So I kept this video for myself. Otherwise, what proof do I have?” |
Mr Muflahi added that Mr Sterling had been carrying a gun for self-defence. | |
He said: "He started carrying a weapon a couple of days ago after a couple of his friends that also sell CDs at different locations were robbed." | |
Amid increasing anger at the number of black men dying in confrontations with the police, US Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton entered the debate over Mr Sterling’s death, saying: “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 colour of their skin.” | |
In her statement, Ms Clinton added: “The death of Alton Sterling is a tragedy, and my prayers are with his family, including his five children. From Staten Island to Baltimore, Ferguson to Baton Rouge, too many African American families mourn the loss of a loved one from a police-involved incident.” | |
Welcoming the fact that the US Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into the incident, Ms Clinton said: “I am glad the Department of Justice has agreed to a thorough review. | |
“Incidents like this have undermined the trust between police departments and the communities they serve. We need to rebuild that trust. | |
“We need to ensure justice is served. That begins with common sense reforms like ending racial profiling, providing better training on de-escalation and implicit bias, and supporting municipalities that refer the investigation and prosecution of police-involved deaths to independent bodies.” | |
Ms Clinton’s statement came after Cameron Sterling, Mr Sterling's 15-year-old son, broke down in tears at a press conference in connection with his father’s death. | |
Referring to the first video of the incident, Cameron’s mother Quinyetta McMillon said: “He had to watch this as this was put all over the outlets. As a mother I have now been forced to raise a son who is going to remember what happened to his father." | |
Michael McClanahan, president of the local branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People claimed Mr Sterling's death was indicative of a general problem with the "the culture of the Baton Rouge Police Department". | |
"This incident is one of many," he said. | |
Police officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II have been placed on administrative leave following Mr Sterling’s death. | |
Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr has said Mr Sterling was armed at the time of the confrontation, but questions still remain about the circumstances surrounding his death. | |