Justice Dept. to investigate Baton Rouge police shooting
The U.S. Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division will lead the investigation into the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the state’s Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday.
Joining the investigation, Bel Edwards announced, are the U.S. attorney’s office for the Middle District of Louisiana and the FBI, as well as the Louisiana State Police in conjunction with Col. Mike Edmonson.
“I have full confidence this matter will be investigated thoroughly, impartially and professionally, and I will demand that that’s the way it’s conducted, and I know the people of Louisiana will join me in doing so. And I will say based on the information that I have obtained from law enforcement, but certainly the footage that I observed of the video that was made available, I have very serious concerns,” Edwards remarked of footage posted online after the incident Tuesday.
The video shows two officers holding down Sterling, a 37-year-old African-American man and then shooting him on the ground outside a convenience store. The imagery, Edwards said, is “disturbing, to say the least.”
“And at this time I’m asking for leaders in the faith-based community, elected officials and other community leaders here in Baton Rouge to work with me, to work with all of us to ensure that we remain calm and peaceful as the details continue to unfold,” Edwards said. “I know that that may be tough for some, but it’s essential that we do that. I know that there are protests going on, and I’m urging everyone to remain peaceful. One thing for sure, another violent act or destruction of property is not the answer. We already have one family torn apart. In Louisiana we’re known for our ability to come together in difficult circumstances, and certainly this is one of those times. While the investigations get under way, I’m asking everyone to walk through this difficult time together and safely, and with that in mind, this afternoon I will be meeting with numerous community leaders in the church and in the community in Baton Rouge in order to make sure that we remain peaceful and calm. We will certainly get through this tragedy.”
According to reports, Sterling was known to people at the convenience store as someone who sold CDs without previous incidents.