Rage In US City After Footage Shows Cops Shooting Black Man Point-Blank

A witness caught part of the incident on camera. In the 48-second footage, you can hear officers yell “He’s got a gun! Gun!” and later “You fucking move, I swear to god.”

Two officers are seen wrangling a man to the ground on his back. One officer is pulling the the man’s left arm down while he presses into the the man’s chest. There’s a lot of yelling, and then the officer on the man’s chest pulls out his gun and shoots him twice. The bystander drops their phone, but after a brief pause, you can hear two more shots.

Police later confirmed in a media statement that Sterling died of multiple (meaning more than two) gunshot wounds to the head and chest.

How many more times must this happen for us to matter? How many more must we lose?
BLACK. LIVES. MATTER. #AltonSterling

— Zendaya (@Zendaya) July 6, 2016

The owner of the convenience store, Abdullah Muglahi, told local media that although Sterling was armed, he was not holding his gun; it was later found it Sterling’s pocket.

Both officers have been placed on administrative leave. They will apparently be identified to the public on Wednesday morning (local time). An investigation is ongoing.

Although police seized CCTV footage from the store, and will be examining body cameras and dash cameras, the police officer’s body cams apparently came loose during the incident. 

Later that same day, Sterling’s family and friends gathered outside the convenience store to protest the shooting. By 7:30pm, the crowd had swelled to more than 100, with some people carrying signs and chanting “Black lives matter” and “Hands up, don’t shoot”.

Sterling’s death has also sparked a wave of grief and outrage on social media.

#AltonSterling wasn’t killed for selling CDs. He was lynched for being black.

— Broderick Greer (@BroderickGreer) July 6, 2016

Before you say the officers “fears for their lives”.

Ask yourself why did #AltonSterling fear for his.

— Kwame Rose (@kwamerose) July 6, 2016

Yet again. What is there to say at this point? #AltonSterling

— roxane gay (@rgay) July 6, 2016

They tackled him.
They threw him to the ground.
They pinned him down.
They murdered him at point blank range.#AltonSterling #TheCounted

— Sam White (@samwhiteout) July 6, 2016

In the morning they will let us know that #AltonSterling stole a bike when he was 12

— Jayz unclaimed kid (@MsJennaJacobs) July 6, 2016

We’ll have #AltonSterling entire criminal history in 24 hours while we couldn’t even get a mugshot for that rapist

— Oliver Willis (@owillis) July 6, 2016

#AltonSterling was the father of five. A neighbor said of him, “Whatever he cooked, he cooked enough for everybody.”

— Jesse Benn (@JesseBenn) July 6, 2016

A point-blank execution. I am sick and heartbroken. Say his name. RIP. #AltonSterling

— Em Harriss (@EmHarriss) July 6, 2016

The footage of the shooting can be viewed here, but please be warned that it is very graphic.