University of Cincinnati cop indicted in fatal shooting of black man

(Image credit: AP Photo/John Minchillo)

published 29 July 2015

A white University of Cincinnati police officer has been indicted on murder charges for allegedly fatally shooting Samuel DuBose in the head during a traffic stop near campus on July 19. Officer Ray Tensing "purposely killed" DuBose, 43, who was black, after "losing his temper," according to county prosecutor Joe Deters. DuBose, who was a father of 10, had been driving without a front license plate when he was pulled over.

"[Tensing] never should have been a police officer," Deters said, adding that after seeing the body camera video footage of the shooting, "I realize[d] what this was going to mean to our community, and it really broke my heart because it's just so bad." Tensing could face life in prison if convicted.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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