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Alton Sterling shooting: two police officers will not be charged with any crime Alton Sterling shooting: two police officers will not be charged with any crime
(35 minutes later)
The two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in July 2016 in Baton Rouge will not be charged with any crime, the Louisiana attorney general announced on Tuesday. On Monday night police were already preparing for city-wide protests in response to the decision. The two police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in July 2016 in Baton Rouge will not be charged with any crime, the Louisiana attorney general announced on Tuesday. Prior to the decision, police were already preparing for city-wide protests in response.
“After a thorough and exhaustive review of the evidence ... the Louisiana Department of Justice cannot proceed with a prosecution of either officer,” said Jeff Landry at a morning press conference, after meeting members of Sterling’s family privately.“After a thorough and exhaustive review of the evidence ... the Louisiana Department of Justice cannot proceed with a prosecution of either officer,” said Jeff Landry at a morning press conference, after meeting members of Sterling’s family privately.
“This decision was not taken lightly, we came to this conclusion after countless hours of reviewing the evidence,” he said.“This decision was not taken lightly, we came to this conclusion after countless hours of reviewing the evidence,” he said.
Sterling, a 37-year-old black father of five, was shot six times by officer Blane Salamoni on 5 July 2016. The confrontation between Sterling and Salamoni and officer Howie Lake II, who are both white, was captured on video. The incident sparked unrest throughout the summer of 2016. Sterling, a 37-year-old black father of five, was shot six times by officer Blane Salamoni on 5 July 2016. The confrontation between Sterling and Salamoni and officer Howie Lake II, who are both white, was captured on video and sparked unrest throughout the summer of 2016.
In July 2017, the two officers were cleared by the Department of Justice. But they remained legally in limbo, on paid leave for more than 20 months, as the state investigation continued. In a press conference immediately after Landry had spoken, members of Sterling’s family expressed deep frustration and called for voters to eject Landry and other elected officials.
Sterling’s family filed a civil suit against the city of Baton Rouge. It is still pending. “We don’t cry no more, that’s why you don’t see tears,” said Sandra Sterling, an aunt of Alton Sterling. “I’m going to get my justice from a higher power. Shame on you. You took an oath to protect and serve, not to protect and kill.”
The federal investigation did provide details about what happened. The two officers were cleared by the federal Department of Justice in July last year. But they remained legally in limbo, on paid leave for more than 20 months, as the state investigation continued. Sterling’s family filed a civil suit against the city of Baton Rouge, which is still pending.
On the evening of the shooting, Salamoni and Lake were dispached after an anonymous caller indicated that a man wearing a red shirt and selling CDs outside the Triple S Food Mart had threatened him with a gun. The federal investigation did provide details about what happened. Salamoni and Lake were dispached after an anonymous caller indicated that a man wearing a red shirt and selling CDs outside the Triple S Food Mart had threatened him with a gun.
The store’s owner, who considered Sterling a friend and allowed him to sell CDs out front, recorded Sterling’s interaction with police. The owner told reporters that though Sterling was carrying a handgun in his pocket or waistband, he never had it in his hands. The store owner, who considered Sterling a friend and allowed him to sell CDs out front, recorded Sterling’s interaction with police. The owner told reporters that though Sterling was carrying a handgun in his pocket or waistband, he never had it in his hands.
The officers said they did not have control of Sterling’s right arm as they attempted to arrest him, and that they believed his hand was moving towards the weapon.The officers said they did not have control of Sterling’s right arm as they attempted to arrest him, and that they believed his hand was moving towards the weapon.
“Throughout the encounter the officers attempted several non-lethal techniques to gain control of Mr Sterling’s hands,” Landry said on Tuesday. “The officers concern that he was armed and dangerous was in fact, subsequently verified and correct.”“Throughout the encounter the officers attempted several non-lethal techniques to gain control of Mr Sterling’s hands,” Landry said on Tuesday. “The officers concern that he was armed and dangerous was in fact, subsequently verified and correct.”
It was revealed that Salamoni drew his handgun and pointed it at Sterling’s head within 20 seconds of his arrival on the scene. According to federal officials, as related by Sterling’s family and attorney, he said: “I’m going to kill you, bitch.” It was revealed that Salamoni drew his handgun and pointed it at Sterling’s head within 20 seconds of arriving on the scene. According to federal officials, as related by Sterling’s family and attorney, the officer said: “I’m going to kill you, bitch.”
Those revelations prompted Baton Rouge mayor-president Sharon Weston Broome to call for Salamoni’s resignation. The police department insisted that any decision wait until Landry’s announcement. Those revelations prompted Baton Rouge mayor-president Sharon Weston Broome to call for Salamoni’s resignation. The police department insisted any decision would be made after Landry’s announcement.
The Baton Rouge Advocate reported late on Monday that the state had begun “protest operations”, mobilizing officers from other parts of the state. “Some troopers were being told to pack eight days worth of clothing,” the newspaper said. Attorney’s for the Sterling family said they were not surprised by the outcome but were very disappointed, lamenting “a very biased report” and noting that several eyewitnesses – including the shop owner Abdullah Muhlafi – were not re-interviewed by Landry’s team.
The Baton Rouge Advocate reported late on Monday that the Louisiana authorities had begun “protest operations”, mobilizing officers from other parts of the state. “Some troopers were being told to pack eight days worth of clothing,” the newspaper reported.
Sterling’s death was followed the next day by the death of Philando Castile, shot dead by police in Minnesota, prompting questions about how police perceive black Americans who own guns.Sterling’s death was followed the next day by the death of Philando Castile, shot dead by police in Minnesota, prompting questions about how police perceive black Americans who own guns.
Alton Sterling shootingAlton Sterling shooting
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