admin
A policeman shot and killed a black man as he was held to the ground, US police have confirmed, as mobile phone footage alleged to be of the incident caused outrage online.
Coroner Dr William Clark identified the man as 37-year-old Alton Sterling. His death sparked protests Louisiana’s second largest city, Baton Rouge, where he was killed.
Police said the incident took place outisde a Baton Rouge convenience store, early on Tuesday.
The clip filmed by a mobile phone , which cannot be verified by Al Jazeera, contains images some readers may find distressing.
The 48-second video shows at least two police officers pushing Sterling down to the floor. One officer is seen pressing his head against the ground.
There are shouts of “Get on the fu…ng ground!” and “If you move, I swear to f….ng God!”. Then, at least five shots can be heard.
Traffic moving again, as protestors in street yell at drivers to come down to Baton Rouge city hall at 8am tomorrow.
Corporal L’Jean McKneely told local media officers had responded to an anonymous call that said there was a man in the area with a gun.
McKneely said two officers at the scene had an altercation with a man and one officer fatally shot the suspect.
He said police believed only one officer fired shots, and that the officer has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard department policy. – Al Jazeera
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo