Killing of Alton Sterling
On July 5, 2016, Alton Sterling, a 37-year-old black man, was shot and killed by two Baton Rouge Police Department officers, Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The officers, who were attempting to control Sterling's arms, shot Sterling to death, which was preceded by Salamoni threatening Sterling with his gun before Sterling was restrained, yelling that he would "shoot [Sterling] in the fucking head" if he moved.[5] Police alleged that Sterling had reached for the loaded handgun in his pants pocket.[6] Police were responding to a report that Sterling was selling CDs and that he had used a gun to threaten a man outside a convenience store.[7] The owner of the store where the shooting occurred said that Sterling was "not the one causing trouble" during the situation that led to the police being called.[8][9] The shooting was recorded by multiple bystanders.
Date
July 5, 2016
12:35 a.m.
90 seconds
2112 North Foster Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Bystander's mobile phone and security [cctv] cameras
Howie Lake II, Blane Salamoni (officers)
Salamoni fired in 2017
Alton Sterling
The shooting led to protests in Baton Rouge and a request for a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice. In May 2017 they decided not to file criminal charges against the police officers involved. In response, Louisiana's attorney general, Jeff Landry, said the state of Louisiana would open an investigation into the shooting once the Department of Justice released the physical evidence. In March 2018, Landry's office announced it would not bring charges against the officers[10] stating that they acted in a "reasonable and justifiable manner".[2]
In February 2021, nearly five years after the shooting, the East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved a $4.5 million settlement for the family of Alton Sterling to settle a wrongful death suit.[11] The family accepted the settlement a few months later and the case was closed.[12][13]
Parties involved[edit]
Alton Sterling[edit]
Alton Sterling (June 14, 1979 – July 5, 2016) was known locally in Baton Rouge as "CD Man".[8] He had a criminal record that included violent offenses, and had been sentenced to serve 5 years following a 2009 incident that stated he had resisted arrest. During a struggle with the arresting officer in 2009, a "black semi auto gun fell from his waistband".[14]
Investigation[edit]
Louisiana U.S. Representative Cedric Richmond said that the footage of Sterling's shooting is "deeply troubling" and called for a U.S. Department of Justice investigation into the man's death.[49] Governor John Bel Edwards announced on July 6, that the Department of Justice would launch an investigation.[50]
The United States Department of Justice opened a civil rights investigation on July 7, 2016.[51] On May 2, 2017, it was subsequently announced the department would not bring charges against the officers involved.[52][53]
After the Department of Justice announced that it would not charge the 2 officers, Louisiana attorney general Jeff Landry announced that the state of Louisiana would begin an investigation. In a statement, Landry wrote "The USDOJ’s review of this matter was to determine violations of federal law: specifically, federal civil rights laws. To date, this matter has not been investigated or reviewed for possible violations of the Louisiana Criminal Code. Therefore, this matter now needs to be investigated for possible state criminal violations."
An autopsy report released in March 2018 indicated that Sterling had been shot six times, striking his heart, lung, esophagus and liver. The cause of death was ruled a homicide. The toxicology report showed that at the time of the shooting, Sterling had drugs in his system. Landry said this affected Sterling’s behavior during the deadly encounter.[54] On March 27, Landry's office announced it would not bring charges against the officers[10] stating that they acted in a "reasonable and justifiable manner".[2] On March 30, officer Salamoni was fired for violating use of force policies, and Lake was suspended for three days for losing his temper.[55]
In August 2019, Baton Rouge officials reached a settlement with Blane Salamoni, who appealed his termination. They agreed to overturn his firing and retroactively let him resign without any compensation or back pay.[56]
In February 2021 the East Baton Rouge Metro Council approved a $4.5 million settlement for the family of Alton Sterling to settle a wrongful death suit. The trial of the wrongful death suit was scheduled to begin March 1, 2021. The Council rejected a $5M settlement in November 2020.[11]