Disturbing Video Released of Fatal Police Shooting of Philando Castile

Source: Reason
Published: Jun 20, 2017
Author: C.J. Ciaramella
Post Date: 2017-06-21 07:22:12 by Deckard
Views: 1448

Seven seconds after Philando Castile informed a Minnesota police officer he had a firearm, the officer shot him seven times.

The Minnesota Departement of Public Safety released dash cam video on Tuesday from the fatal 2016 police shooting of Castile, which sparked protests and national coverage. The video shows the brief interaction between Castile and police officer Jeronimo Yanez after Castile was pulled over.

Castile, a licensed firearm owner, informs Yanez he has a gun. "Okay," Yanez says. "Don't reach for it then. Don't pull it out."

"I'm not pulling it out," Castile responds. His girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, also says, "He's not pulling it out."

"Don't pull it out!" Yanez yells again, drawing his gun, reaching through the driver-side window and opening fire.


Watch the video:

As the video shows, it takes a full six minutes after Castile is shot before he is removed from the car and receives medical attention. By then, it is far too late.

Until Tuesday, the only public video of the incident was a Facebook livestream taken by Reynolds shortly after the shooting, as Castile, a cafeteria worker at a St. Paul elementary school, bled out in the car.

Yanez was acquitted of manslaughter charges from Castile's death last week. He has been fired from the St. Anthony Police Department. As Reason's Robby Soave wrote last year, Castile's death for the lawful exercise of his Second Amendment rights should be shocking and outrageous to all Americans:

In Minnesota, citizens are allowed to carry firearms if they have a permit to do so. Castile was merely exercising his Second Amendment rights. His decision to inform the officer about his weapon was courteous, but not legally required. Permit holders in Minnesota do not need to tell cops that they are carrying firearms unless specifically asked.

It seems fairly clearly, then, that Castile is in some sense a Second Amendment martyr: He was killed by a police officer because he was exercising his rights. We know, of course, that these kinds of things are more likely to happen to black Americans, regardless of whether they were doing anything wrong.

Also watch ReasonTV on the impact of live video on the Castile case and the debate over police reform:

Post Comment   Private Reply

#1: misterwhite    To: Deckard (#0)

"As the video shows, it takes a full six minutes after Castile is shot before he is removed from the car and receives medical attention."

Well, I'm guessing they figured, "Screw it. If his girlfriend would rather make a video than tend to her boyfriend, why should we care?"

misterwhite posted on 2017-06-21 08:29:28   Reply   Private Reply


#2: misterwhite    To: Deckard (#0)

It seems fairly clearly (sic), then, that Castile is in some sense a Second Amendment martyr: He was killed by a police officer because he was exercising his rights.

Hmmmmmm, no. It seems fairly clear from the video that he was killed by a police officer because he was reaching for a loaded gun.

misterwhite posted on 2017-06-21 08:31:31   Reply   Private Reply


#3: Deckard    To: misterwhite (#1)

It seems fairly clear from the video that he was killed by a police officer because he was reaching for a loaded gun.

Castile, a licensed firearm owner, informs Yanez he has a gun. "Okay," Yanez says. "Don't reach for it then. Don't pull it out."

"I'm not pulling it out," Castile responds. His girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, also says, "He's not pulling it out."

Deckard posted on 2017-06-21 08:32:44   Reply   Private Reply


#4: misterwhite    To: Deckard (#0)

This guy had been stopped 52 times in four years. You'd think that after 52 times he would know the drill -- license, registration, proof of insurance.

No. He waits until the cop gets there before he starts fumbling around near his weapon. After being told not to.

misterwhite posted on 2017-06-21 08:39:30   Reply   Private Reply


#5: misterwhite    To: Deckard (#3)

"I'm not pulling it out," Castile responds. His girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, also says, "He's not pulling it out."

So you're saying the cop shoud have belived them rather than his lyin' eyes.

misterwhite posted on 2017-06-21 08:41:44   Reply   Private Reply


#6: Deckard    To: misterwhite (#4)

This guy had been stopped 52 times in four years.

So what?

Doesn't make the cop any less of a murderer.

Interesting that the department fired the psychopath - I mean if it was a "good shoot", why fire him?

Deckard posted on 2017-06-21 08:42:35   Reply   Private Reply


#7: Deckard    To: misterwhite (#5)

So you're saying the cop shoud have belived them rather than his lyin' eyes.

I'm saying you need to stop sucking cop cock all the time.

Deckard posted on 2017-06-21 08:43:19   Reply   Private Reply