Another unarmed black man was killed by police this month, this time in the American capitol of Washington DC. Police advised that thirty-one year old Terrence Sterling was shot by an officer during a traffic stop. According to the official story, police received calls of a reckless motorcycle. Shortly after, Sterling was located and stopped. According to police, Sterling attempted to flee and in the process, rammed the passenger side door. The officer fired his weapon, sparking protests and a call for transparency in the case.
The most troubling part about this story, is that the officer involved failed to activate his body cam until after the shooting. “Our preliminary review does not show any camera footage before the shooting,” Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser remarked to the press. “The footage that we have reviewed at this point happens after the shooting incident.”
The shooting, which took place on Sept. 11, caused an immediate change in DC Metro Police policy. Now officers are required to notify dispatch that their body cameras have been activated. The change in orders is by no means an admission of faulty policy, instead, it adds an additional level of documentation that may refute an officer’s story later.
The police chief, Peter Newsham, identified the shooter as Officer Brian Trainer. “The person that was riding the motorcycle attempted to flee, ended up striking the police car and at that point… shots were fired,” Chief Newsham stated to the press.
It has long been established that police are unauthorized to shoot at a fleeing vehicle. According to eyewitnesses, Sterling was fleeing the scene and inadvertently struck the passenger side of the patrol car. Trainer was in the passenger seat and began firing after Sterling’s motorcycle struck his vehicle. The lack of body cam footage, particularly when Trainer was wearing one, brings to light many questions, including why did he feel the need to start recording – only after he had fired his weapon? According to witnesses, Trainer fired from inside his vehicle, despite there being no immediate threat.
Protesters have gathered throughout the city, demanding answers as to why Sterling was shot. Protesters carried signs that read “Justice for Terrence Sterling,” “We have questions. We need answers,” and “Black Lives matter.” Police officials agree that Trainer should have had his body cam on, and have stated there is an investigation underway to ascertain the details of what actually happened. The deparment assured the public that they are “committed to a fair and thorough investigative process.” Last Friday’s protest was followed by a group of 175 motorcycles who rode from Maryland to Washington DC, urging police officials to maintain transparency and release additional facts.
Sources: Washington Post, WTop.
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They killed him for being smart, successful and black.
Please wake up you dumb fucks.
They are going to kill you all and get away with it on technicalities.
Do you realize that if America stayed within its own borders and stopped trying to “help” everyone and if America’s 3 letter agencies stopped radicalizing people, War would be non-existent.
Maybe, Just maybe, America needs to go home and stay home?
You realize they need to create a war every 2 years to keep their economy moving right?
Its not about freedom, Its about money.