Outrage after another black man is killed by a white police officer
Philando Castile was shot in front of his girlfriend and her daughter a day after Alton Sterling was gunned down
A black man has been shot dead by a white police officer in the US state of Minnesota less than 24 hours after a similar incident took place in Louisiana.
A video live-streamed on Facebook last night shows the aftermath of the shooting of 32-year-old Philando Castile, who was pulled over for a routine traffic violation in Falcon Heights.
Filmed by his girlfriend, identified locally as Lavish Reynolds, the footage shows Castile slumped over in the driver's seat, bleeding profusely. A police officer is seen pointing his gun through the car window.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"You shot four bullets into him, sir. He was just getting his licence and registration, sir," she says. "Police shot him for no apparent reason. No reason at all."
Reynolds also says that her boyfriend informed the police officer that he was licenced to carry a concealed gun and had one in his possession
The police officer can be heard shouting: "I told him not to reach for it. I told him to get his hand out."
Reynolds's young daughter was in the car at the time of the shooting, though neither of them is believed to have been injured.
Police say the officer responsible has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. They confirmed they were aware of the video but provided no comment on it.
In an emotional interview with CNN, Castile's mother, Valerie, said: "We are being hunted."
Castile was "immediately criminally profiled" by the police, his cousin Antonio Johnson told the Star Tribune. "He lost his life over it tonight."
Nekima Levy-Pounds, president of the National Association for the local chapter of the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), says the family is calling for justice and accountability.
"We're demanding a change to our laws and policies that allow these types of things to happen," she said. "Too often officers are taught to shoot first and ask questions last."
This is the latest in a series of high-profile shootings of black men by white police officers in the US. The shootings have reignited angry protests over the police's use of lethal force and deepened racial divisions.
A day before Castile was shot, another black man was filmed being gunned down by officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Alton Sterling was shot several times while he was pinned to the ground by two officers and appeared unable to move. Witnesses said he posed no threat to the police.
Another wave of demonstrations, led by those in the Black Lives Matter movement, are taking place in Louisiana and Minnesota, and across the country.
"They've prayed, they've sung, they've cried and they've danced," the BBC's Laura Bicker reports from Baton Rouge. "It has been peaceful but there is real anger here and at times almost despair."
She adds: "It's not just about the death of one man. There are some who feel that the fight for equality might be one that they will never win."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The mental health crisis affecting vets
Under The Radar Death of Hampshire vet highlights mental health issues plaguing the industry
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The Onion is having a very ironic laugh with Infowars
The Explainer The satirical newspaper is purchasing the controversial website out of bankruptcy
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
'Rahmbo, back from Japan, will be looking for a job? Really?'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published
-
Anti-Semitism in America: a case of double standards?
Speed Read Officials were strikingly reluctant to link Texas synagogue attack to anti-Semitism
By The Week Staff Published