***WARNING: Graphic Content Ahead***
The Baton Rouge Police Department in Louisiana is currently facing public backlash after video surfaced of their officers shooting a black father-of-five named Alton Sterling.
According to the BRPD, Police responded to a call on Tuesday, not long after midnight, and were told that a black man wearing a red shirt was selling CDs and had threatened the caller with a gun. Unfortunately, the scene turned fatal when the uniformed cops made contact with Sterling at the Triple S Food Mart.
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In a statement, the police explained:
“Sterling was shot during the altercation and died at the scene.”
That’s that, right? Not exactly, as video shows Sterling being aggressively thrown onto the hood of a car before a second cop climbed on him and pinned him down. Not to mention, both officers were heard yelling “get on the ground” prior to physically making contact with Alton.
Shortly after one of the officers proclaimed the victim had a gun, one cop pulled out his gun and held the neck and/or head of the man down onto the pavement. Two loud pops were heard and then another two pops, which we can only assume were gunshots.
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East Baton Rouge Coroner Dr. William Clark shared that Mr. Sterling died from multiple gunshot wounds to his chest and back. Although, he would not confirm whether or not Alton had been shot seven times as was evident from the video.
Since the news broke of this incident, several protesters flocked with their signs to be outside the convenience store while chanting “Black Lives Matter”. Several politicians have now spoken out on this controversy, including Congressman Cedric Richmond who demanded that the U.S. Department of Justice conduct an investigation into this matter. He also encouraged protesters to protest “with dignity.”
Obviously, this extremely upsetting story also sparked a reaction from celebrities like Jesse Williams, Zendaya, Amy Schumer, Lily Allen, and many others. Take a look at their reactions for yourself (below)!!!
1) In the interest of time, would ye noble patriots please provide a list of infractions punishable by spontaneous public execution? Thanks!
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 6, 2016
2) Upon receipt of this list, we’ll return to our quarters and study up, eager to enjoy freedoms of white mass murders. #LIFEHACK
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 6, 2016
3) You chumps will NEVER provide this list… We see through you.
— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 6, 2016
How many more times must this happen for us to matter? How many more must we lose?
BLACK. LIVES. MATTER. #AltonSterling
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) July 6, 2016
I CANT TAKE IT! My heart can’t take it. Do you know how broken our spirits become every time we├óΓé¼┬ª https://t.co/hnTA5zZqo5
— Danielle Brooks (@thedanieb) July 6, 2016
Get up, stand up…
Stand up for your rights;
Get up, stand up…
Don’t give up The Fight.
-Bob Marley
— Uzo Aduba (@UzoAduba) July 6, 2016
Happy Rich White Man Day #tonyblair #BatonRougepolicedept #pistorious. RIP #150,000Iraqicivilians , #AltonSterling and #ReevaSteenkamp
— lily (@lilyallen) July 6, 2016
Love to Louisiana #AltonSterling
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) July 6, 2016
#AltonSterling
Please. No more. This must stop.
— Rashida Jones (@iamrashidajones) July 6, 2016
That’s murder. #AltonSterling
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) July 6, 2016
heartbroken for #altonsterling and his family ├░┼╕ΓÇÖΓÇ¥
— christina perri (@christinaperri) July 6, 2016
#AltonSterling. Say his name.
— Samira Wiley (@samirawiley) July 6, 2016
I don’t really know what to say at this point. #AltonSterling #558 ├░┼╕╦£ΓÇ¥
— Cynthia Erivo (@CynthiaEriVo) July 6, 2016
Just watched police officers kill #AltonSterling in cold blood. My heart hurts. I am sick. My black son lays sleeping -his future? #Jesus
— Sherri Shepherd (@SherriEShepherd) July 6, 2016
Those who fight for the right to carry concealed weapons are surely furious about Sterling’s murder, right?? NRA protests outside Police HQ?
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) July 6, 2016
To everyone threatening to unfollow me because I said #blacklivesmatter, PEACE. And also, #blacklivesmatter.
— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) July 6, 2016
HAS. TO. STOP. Devastating. https://t.co/C9Q0YePRMr
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) July 6, 2016
Very upset reading about #AltonSterling this morning. when will this end????
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 6, 2016
Will we actually get justice this time around??
Rest in peace, Alton.
[Image via Instagram/WENN.]
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