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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. Prior to the decision, police were already preparing for city-wide protests in response.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 and 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 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. In a press conference immediately after Landry’s, Sterling’s family expressed deep frustration and called for voters to eject the attorney general and other elected officials.
“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.”“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 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. 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.
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. According to investegation documents, Salamoni and Lake were dispatched in the early morning hours 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 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. Investigators said 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 to Sterling something to the effect of “I’m going to kill you, bitch”.
According to the official account of the incident, the officers tried to tackle Sterling and deploy a stun gun. While in a scuffle on the ground, officers believed Sterling was reaching for a gun in his pocket. Salamoni drew his weapon and fired three shots to Sterling’s chest, then three more as he rolled over.
Store owner Abdullah Muhlafi, who considered Sterling a friend and allowed him to sell CDs out front, recorded the incident. Muhlafi 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 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.” After details of the incident emerged last summer, Baton Rouge mayor-president Sharon Weston Broome called for Salamoni’s resignation. The police department said any decision would be made after Landry’s announcement. A joint press conference by the mayor-president and chief of police was expected later on Tuesday.
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. Attorneys for the Sterling family said they were not surprised by the outcome of the state investigation but were very disappointed. Lamenting “a very biased report”, they noted that several eyewitnesses – including Muhlafi – were not re-interviewed.
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 elsewhere in the state. “Some troopers were being told to pack eight days worth of clothing,” the newspaper reported.
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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US policingUS policing
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