Alton Sterling
Some very disturbing and tragic footage has been making the rounds on social media all day today. Early Tuesday morning in Baton Rouge, Louisiana Alton Sterling was subdued by two BRPD officers and shot multiple times in the chest and back - Alton died from his wounds. The footage was captured by cell phone footage by onlookers in a nearby car (you can watch the video below and judge for yourself). It is now being confirmed by Police Chief Carl Dabadie that the body cameras worn by both of the officers involved fell off during the incident (how convenient).
WBRZ spoke with Abdul Muflahi, the owner of the Triple-Sconvenience store the incident took place infront of:
The store's owner Abdul Muflahi said he was just a few feet away when he watched the shooting happen. He said at first Sterling and the officers were arguing. Then he said he saw the officers wrestle with Sterling against a car, throw him to the ground, and tase him in order to subdue him. After tasing him, according to Muflahi, Sterling appeared to be unfazed and police shot Sterling four to six times."Idon't think it was handled correctly at all," said Muflahi. "It could have been handled, the situation, better than it did."
Muflahi said Sterling did carry a gun, but he did not have it in his hand during the altercation with police.He said he saw police remove a gun from Sterling's pant's pocket after he was shot to death.
Muflahi said Sterling had sold CDs outside his store for years. He said the man started carrying a gun a few weeks ago after a friend of his was robbed.
Im sure in the coming days there will be plenty of stories about Altons past criminal history, but really I dont think thats relevant right now. If he was a felon illegally carrying a gun, then he should be arrested, not murdered. Ill wait until all the information is out there before really going in, but that footage doesnt lie, if this man did not have a gun in his hand nor his hand in his pocket (which is what the store manager is saying), then it seems this could have been handled without the loss of life.
The officer who shot Sterling is on administrative leave while the incident is investigated, Mayor Kip Holden said that a full and fair investigation will be conducted regarding the shooting. Well update this as more information comes out.
Prayers for this mans family. This is close to home bruh, stuff getting crazy ?? #JusticeForAltonSterling pic.twitter.com/447zux7sAJ
#FGTG (@_3Trinity) July 6, 2016
