In the wake of yesterday’s fatal police shooting of Louisiana man Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, both local and federal authorities have announced that they will launch an investigation into what occurred.
Video of the incident appeared to show two police officers shooting Sterling as they pinned him to the ground outside a convenience store. Police had apprehended him over accusations that he was selling CDs outside a grocery store and had threatened someone with a gun.
In an emotional press conference, the mother of Sterling’s eldest child Quinyetta McMillan addressed the despair the community feels over the shooting, which comes in the wake of the high-profile police killings of other African-American men like Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Tamir Rice.
Cameron, Sterling’s son, breaks down during the conference, and falls into the arms of supporters behind him.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr confirmed that while Sterling had a gun on his person during the encounter, there were still questions around the circumstances of his death.
“Like you, there is a lot that we do not understand. And at this point, like you, I am demanding answers,” the chief said. The officers involved, Officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, have been placed on leave.
The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into the shooting.
Source: ABC News.
Photo: YouTube.
