I wonder why the issue in this shooting isn't the fact that we let less then qualified people get a gun licnence. The officer wasn't given a choice due to the drivers mistake of not listening to a LAWFUL order. It's like we forgot how important compliance is to our own safety. But yeah let's blame the officer that had .4 seconds to make choice.
8
After growing up in a poor, high crime area, and being assaulted, harrased, and threatened by law enforcement for no just cause, I no longer care what happens to law officers. If they are injured or killed at work, I don't care. I don't feel any sympathy for them or their families. The opposite of love is not hate, it is indifference. My compassion is with the victims of police violence.
17
Tragic. Awful. My sympathy to the family.
NRA: Do you promote training along with your gun promotion? Do you advise anyone with brown complexion that carrying a weapon might be extremely dangerous to their health?
Police departments: Do you make your officers aware that in the good old U.S. of A., anyone might be - legally - carrying a weapon?
It sounds as if Mr. Castile was being careful and rational, trying to do the best thing. How did this happen? How can we at least try to ensure that it doesn't happen seemingly weekly or worse?
Too many guns. Too little training for officers.
NRA: Do you promote training along with your gun promotion? Do you advise anyone with brown complexion that carrying a weapon might be extremely dangerous to their health?
Police departments: Do you make your officers aware that in the good old U.S. of A., anyone might be - legally - carrying a weapon?
It sounds as if Mr. Castile was being careful and rational, trying to do the best thing. How did this happen? How can we at least try to ensure that it doesn't happen seemingly weekly or worse?
Too many guns. Too little training for officers.
26
If this is following the "police protocol", then we are safer without police than we are. We are even less likely to be shot by a criminal than by a police. And this "not guilty" only emboldens police to shoot more carelessly.
19
It's great that this bastion of free speech regulates comments but is certainly happy to show live death! Kudos!
9
We have just watched another state sanctioned lynching, brought to you by the police department and "justice" department of the Minnesota. I hope Yanez sees Mr. Castille's face every night in his dreams and that his daughters cries are his nightly nightmare. These people are cowards masquerading as cops.
32
American Justice: 40 seconds to Death.
If this was a TV crime show, would be deemed unrealistic. Especially the verdict. The REAL crime story.
If this was a TV crime show, would be deemed unrealistic. Especially the verdict. The REAL crime story.
22
Why is it that in the land of the free and the home of the brave someone always ends up panicking and shooting dead a bystander, a child, a co-worker, a neighbor?.... Answer: A country awash in guns.
22
"Both hands on the top of the steering wheel NOW! If that had been an order then the driver would have responded or not. Then one could have a reasonable fear and perhaps do something, like a taser. It appears a frightened inexperienced cop did a stupid and deadly thing.
29
Just going by information from the video, this appears to not be racially motivated, but the result of an inexperienced cop who panicked and stopped thinking early on in the encounter. A tragic, and likely unnecessary loss of life in the hands of a calmer, more experienced cop. Officer training for these types of scenarios must drastically improve, or more lives will be lost.
18
Ironically, if Mr. Castile had not informed the officer that he had a gun he would more than likely be alive today. Given that Officer Castile's suspicion that he was dealing with a potential robbery suspect, who was armed, he should have instructed Mr. Casrile out of the car, where he could have safely disarmed him with the assistance of the second officer on the scene. This was tragedy was a result of poor police training.
24
Ten years ago, I was in exactly the same situation when I was pulled over for speeding by a New York State trooper. My wallet was in my back right pocket and my handgun was holstered on my right hip. I kept my hands visible and explained the situation. The trooper said "Not a problem, unless you're planning on shooting me." I said "That would probably be counterproductive." We both smiled and the rest of the event proceeded as expected. I didn't detect even a hint of tension from the trooper as I retrieved my wallet from what was effectively a blind spot for the officer. Was it better training? More experience, perhaps? Or the fact that I'm white? Whatever the case, she never seemed edgy. Hmmm...are women better judges of character?
35
You kept your hands visible! We see now how important that can be...
3
I don't know understand why Mr Castille didn't hold up his hands and say "I have a licensed firearm, I will keep my hands in view and step out of the car so you can see it and remove it" . My point is there has to be responsibility on both sides. If he was licensed to carry, he should have been a responsible one. I do feel the officer fired too quickly but I have never been remotley close to that type of situation.
8
it is not Mr. Castile's job to know exactly what to do in a traffic stop situation. he was trying to do the right thing. it IS, however, the officer's job to know how to instruct someone with a gun on what to do in that situation rather than panicking and killing the person.
44
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. The American system--the vaunted (especially by lawyers) "rule of law"--gives law enforcers unlimited power during confrontations with members of the public to use whatever force is deemed necessary to see that the laws (literally millions of them) are enforced. Armed with lethal weapons to ensure even their unreasonable orders are enforced, when something like this happens, when a very fallible, lightly trained cop is put in this position, the chances of disaster are great. The cop is less at fault than you and I for allowing a system of government so utterly dependent on the use of force and violence to rule over us.
Occupy America! Take back violent government! Then dispose of it!
Occupy America! Take back violent government! Then dispose of it!
7
Given that these traffic stops seem so perilous, it would seem prudent to limit the reasons for having them. An easy fix for a non-working brake light would be for the officer to take a photo of the back of the car (and license plate) and send a notice to the owner that he or she had a certain number of days to fix the light and send in evidence or pay a fine. How something so mundane could be viewed by an officer as any thing other than routine reflects on the training that some officers receive. Don't know the specifics here but it may be time to prohibit returning veterans from becoming police officers. There should be Federal and State programs to find them other quality employment.
8
I disagree. The brake light problem was the EXCUSE, not the REASON for stopping the car. There is a difference. The car was pulled over because the occupants supposedly looked like people who had recently committed burglaries. Possibly the only connection is that they were young and black. The brake light issue was merely the excuse Officer Yanez told the driver when he first approached her. In other words, if other young blacks had not committed these burglaries, Philando Castile would probably be alive today. But there is little likelihood that Black Lives Matter activists will use this incident to persuade blacks to lower their rate of illegitimate births from its present figure of 72 percent.
6
This is just shocking to me. I'm not American, I live in Italy and I cannot understand quite deeply, because I do not live them, all the issues that might be involved in this but I say this is absurd. I just see an officer killing a man for no reason. I don't think Mr. Castile would have said that he had a gun if his intention was to reach for it and harm the officer. It's just that simple. How can this go without any consequences for the officer?
40
Thank you Eve the lack of respect for life in the U.S. is startling. Absurd is the word I would use too. The entire situation is startling and absurd to think that a law abiding citizen must rehearse their actions lest they be killed by a random police officer over a traffic violation. ABSURD
15
It's heartbreaking to hear Castile's reasonable, cooperative voice and then the burst of gun fire. That he was calm and trying to work with the officer is so painful. It seems clear to me that justice has been denied.
35
I find it strange that the NRA is silent on this situation. Had a white man, legally carrying a firearm, been shot by a black officer they would be all over it.
45
Will someone explain to me please why it is rarely mentioned that this police officer shot Mr. Castile 7 times while THERE WAS A CHILD AND HER MOTHER IN THE CAR???
66
What horrible law enforcers we have. They are not fit to protect anything
29
The police officer went from zero to hysteria in less than 2 seconds. He, not Philando Castile, was completely out of control. Imagine if a black officer or, heaven forbid, a woman in uniform, behaved that way.
43
Yes, being a police officer is a dangerous job. Yet teachers have also been killed in the line of duty, (school shootings ) as have members of other occupations. In most professions, members are trained to diffuse violence rather than being encouraged to shoot. Not so with police officers. The standard of "fear for my life" is so low that it encourages cowardly men (and women) to the profession. They over-react when encountering a black man the way a person with a mental illness or phobia would fear that a hangnail is going to lead to an infection and amputation of their finger. Ridiculous standard of ''best practices" in law enforcement leading to injustice. Shame!
32
Officer Yanez will continue to roam the streets with his gun. He'll continue to be given a good salary, paid for by citizens like Diamond Reynolds, the Castile family and one day, his daughter. He will retire with a pension and he will be celebrated and defended, ironically, by gun rights activists.
10
I for one will never forget the video of the Charleston police taking Dylann Roof out to Burger King.
30
It has nothing to do with training and all to do with perception. No amount of training can erase the mind set of being "afraid of black males". That's the tragedy.
30
I'm a bit confused here. Was it Philando Castile's purportedly broken tail light that prompted the stop? Or his "wide-set" nose that bared a resemblance to a robbery suspect? Or was it the marijuana smell? It seems that when police are trying to justify their use of excessive force, they bring out the full-court press of excuses to substantiate their flawed reasoning.
23
The video still leaves questions unanswered. However, what appears to be evident here is that the cop very calmly told the man to not reach for the gun. He said it several times. His girlfriend said he was reaching for his license. The cop had no way to know what he was reaching for. If it had been me and I told the cop I had a gun I would have said. "What should I do?" and then followed instructions. Why would he reach for anything? The cop rightfully feared for his life even if Philando Castile meant him no harm. The cop could not have known that. If you get pulled over and you have a gun, whether you are black or white, tell the cop and keep your hands up. Don't reach for anything and let the officer direct you. Had he done that I suspect he would still be alive and no one would know his name.
9
This reasoning puts the onus on the civilian to be the thinking and trained professional and somehow be prepared to manage the officer's fear. The officer had given a previous command which was being followed to produce licence and registration. This officer should have never been allowed to wear a uniform as he is not psychologically fit to be an officer.
24
What a Rashomon event, even with live video. Interesting how, given the same piece of evidence, some commenters see the officer's use of force justified and others see it as irresponsible. So complex are these sometimes overlapping issues - guns in America and strained racial relations. No easy answer in sight.
3
This was clearly a murder, but with pressure from the blue wall, the killer goes free. It never changes.
17
This is so heartbreaking and so avoidable. Please, let's solve this problem moving forward- it's a simple tech fix.
Right now, the ritual of the traffic stop involves the motorist having to produce license and registration. This is a recipe for disaster.
To comply, the motorist must access storage areas (either in the car e.g. glove compartment, or on the person e.g. pocket). Because of the opacity of car parts and human bodies, retrieval of said documents cannot be fully observed by the cop. This is utterly nuts and a recipe for this kind of tragedy.
We have to change the ritual. For example, driver swipes license to start car. If stopped, car transmits license and registration to stopping officer. No more rooting around in hidden compartments while a terrified guy is pointing a gun at you.
Right now, the ritual of the traffic stop involves the motorist having to produce license and registration. This is a recipe for disaster.
To comply, the motorist must access storage areas (either in the car e.g. glove compartment, or on the person e.g. pocket). Because of the opacity of car parts and human bodies, retrieval of said documents cannot be fully observed by the cop. This is utterly nuts and a recipe for this kind of tragedy.
We have to change the ritual. For example, driver swipes license to start car. If stopped, car transmits license and registration to stopping officer. No more rooting around in hidden compartments while a terrified guy is pointing a gun at you.
18
First of all, and foremost this is a tragedy. Several tragedies in one, actually. I do not think this officer is a criminal. I do not think this man deserved to die. That said, why did the officer have to shoot him multiple times? Why didn't Castille put his hands out of the window? This cop carries the weight of so many cops doing the wrong thing. He carries the weight of African American distrust levied over generations. Just as Castille carries the weight of distrust and fear that police have of black men with guns. But worst of all America has a communication problem, and if we work on that maybe we can make progress with the rest. We have to talk about it to fix it.
7
This video demonstrates the need for mandatory drug testing of both the police & the shooting victim post-encounter. The officer's behavior disturbs me more than Castile's.
6
I see cowardice in the video. I see a trained professional cheating a man out of life. Where and how will such an officer and his union enablers be held accountable for the judgment and asserted bravery for which they are specifically compensated? Cops, tell us, why do you protect him?
22
Many comments below express compassion and understanding for the police officer who shot Philando Castile. Perhaps he deserves this (it does not seem he did this out of malice), but suggesting his actions were somehow justifiable legally or morally because it's a dangerous world out there and he just wants to make it home to his family in one piece is totally off the mark. Now, I'm not advocating life imprisonment for the officer, but acquittal is a socially dangerous and morally unjust outcome. In essence, what we as a society are saying when we acquit officers like Jeronimo Yanez is that being black (and especially being black and poor) is reason enough to shoot you down so that the rest of us can go back to our families tonight in one piece.
22
The jury in this case is a collective disgrace.
24
To everyone arguing, "hey, he should have followed instructions"- which party in this scenario has the responsibility to take control of the situation?...to issue clear instructions? ...to know precisely what to do when a driver calmly states he has a firearm after being asked to produce (i.e. reach for) his license?
The responsibility obviously lies with the cop and this one failed on all counts. When Castile mentioned the firearm it was Yanez's duty to say, "in that case, forget about the license and don't move" or "put your hands on the wheel" or "where is the gun?" or something to that effect.
Instead, having no idea how to handle the situation, Yanez says "don't reach for it". A vague instruction which Castile clearly thought still entitled him to reach for his license (which is not "it"). Yanez then gets hysterical and fires.
A driver in a traffic stop shouldn't have to be a mind reader. This was bad judgment by Yanez and he should have been convicted. Save the lectures about the stress of the job. It's not for everyone. If you're scared, find another way to make a living.
The responsibility obviously lies with the cop and this one failed on all counts. When Castile mentioned the firearm it was Yanez's duty to say, "in that case, forget about the license and don't move" or "put your hands on the wheel" or "where is the gun?" or something to that effect.
Instead, having no idea how to handle the situation, Yanez says "don't reach for it". A vague instruction which Castile clearly thought still entitled him to reach for his license (which is not "it"). Yanez then gets hysterical and fires.
A driver in a traffic stop shouldn't have to be a mind reader. This was bad judgment by Yanez and he should have been convicted. Save the lectures about the stress of the job. It's not for everyone. If you're scared, find another way to make a living.
56
thank you.
7
It's not vague at all when Castile mentions that he has a gun and immediately afterwards Yanez clearly and calmly instructed, don't reach for it. He obviously didn't mean the drivers license or anything else.
3
M - and he wasn't reaching for the gun, he was reaching for his license as previously instructed. The different possible interpretations only show how poorly Yanez did his job.
8
After the driver showed his insurance card to the cop and told the cop he had a gun why didn't the cop tell the driver to step out of the car? Clearly this cop was so freaked out he had no business being a cop. This is murder to me. Plain and simple.
16
Why are 10 seconds missing right before Mr. Castile's calm statement that he has a firearm?
If this is supposed to help us understand the event, why remove tape?
If this is supposed to help us understand the event, why remove tape?
5
I thought police officers are supposed to go to the passenger side window to allow for space between them and the citizen. At least that's what they did when I got a speeding ticket. May have prevent the officer from feel so scared.
3
One of the most disturbing videos I've seen in years. I was really rattled and shaken from watching it yesterday. It's not only that there's violence in the video... what disturbed me to the core is that the man is clearly trying to do his best to comply with the officer and he has a baby and partner in the car with him.
This cop should be in prison.
This cop should be in prison.
32
We call cops and firefighters heroes because they put the safety of public above their own.
There's nothing heroic about shooting first and asking questions later in order to protect your own skin. Any coward can do that.
I'd call for "heroic restraint" from cops, even when it puts them in greater personal danger. That's the sacrifice they choose to make and that's why the public entrusts them with their power and authority.
There's nothing heroic about shooting first and asking questions later in order to protect your own skin. Any coward can do that.
I'd call for "heroic restraint" from cops, even when it puts them in greater personal danger. That's the sacrifice they choose to make and that's why the public entrusts them with their power and authority.
15
I have watched the video, and I have read comments on the video. There are two officers at the scene, the shooting officer and another at the passenger door. Clearly, the officer at the passenger door is behaving as if this is a routine stop and absolutely nothing is asmiss. This continues right through the shooting. The actions of the two officers cannot be resolved. If officer B does not even see the need to pull his gun, there is no basis for officer A to shoot.
As with the Rodney King acquittal, this matter should now attract federal charges.
As with the Rodney King acquittal, this matter should now attract federal charges.
21
I can imagine there are a lot of nervous cops on the street with so many people carrying. The more people arm themselves the more shootings there will be as people become more fearful of each other.
3
I don't understand how the US expects officers to get better training, better hiring when we continue to absolve murder by police. I am not surprised but disappointed by this jury.
12
Beyond disgusting. Police training has to address how to avoid a traffic stop escalating into a shooting. We've seen too many of these, and I cannot understand how this officer was acquitted.
17
It's a tragic situation. The driver acted incredibly stupid, not freezing at the officer's straightforward order (repeated twice!) not to reach for whatever he was reaching for. The officer's reaction is very understandable. It's easy for us, with the benefit of foresight, to theorize how he should have behaved to avoid this tragedy. But faced with that same situation, how many of us would not have completely freaked out? I'm with the jury on this one.
6
How can you tell that the man did or didn't reach for anything?
7
Even if it was an accident and he warned him. There should still be consequences for the officers actions. The victim had a son and his wife there, both the victim REPEATEDLY told the officer that they were not reaching for a gun. The officer could have easily pepper sprayed the victim had he been that fearful, or better yet stun gun him. Now thanks to the actions and the mistake the officer made, a child is fatherless and a mother is a widow.
You seem to know more than what that video showed to the rest of us? Not I suppose. Please refrain from judging without knowing the facts. This cop's reaction shows he couldn't remain calm, think and speak correctly in that order. I do not fully know what really happened inside that car but his instructions of asking for the license and then just yelling to the poor man to stop pulling out the gun was borderline lunacy. He should have been punished for overuse of that firearm if not anything else.
9
Until an officer actually sees a clear and present danger he must refrain from using deadly force. That is just part of the job he is paid to do and Americans can not afford to have people or policies that don't protect the public first. This is a case of 1st degree manslaughter in the least and possible murder since the officer intended to kill this man without any evidence of wrongdoing.
16
Police officers are supposed to look after themselves too
Officer Yanez should take a long hike to somewhere other than the US. This was unspeakable, an outrage. Unfathomable despite his obvious panic and predisposed attitude toward the deceased victim. His language afterwards only compounds what his attitude was. So, if there is something that we did not see in the cam thing, it should be out there sooner rather than later. We all know the police have difficult jobs but they should not take up such an occupation if they are not mentally suited for it. Race aside, if one could, this was a shocking disgrace.
6
Maybe it's time to start holding jury members and supervising officers accountable. For example, in this case, the people that are clearly going to easily win a civil suit against the city should also be allowed to sue the individual jury members, and/or the officer's superiors.
Perhaps we can help ourselves overcome the obstacles to punishing police by punishing those who fail to punish the police.
Perhaps we can help ourselves overcome the obstacles to punishing police by punishing those who fail to punish the police.
2
Yes the victim was almost certainly entirely innocent and perfectly compliant in accommodating the officer's requests and behaving in a predictable and deescalating manner. The video is disturbing.
However whatever effect racism had, it is dwarfed by the consequences of gun culture in America. If someone is pulled over here in Canada and the officer gets scared, he can create room and call for backup. A frightened officer in the USA has to draw or risk being shot while he moves to safety. As soon as someone has a gun, the stakes are magnified and there is no hope deescalating if you find yourself in a vulnerable position. The officer was a coward more than a murderer. These incidents will continue so long as people walk around with concealed, ranged, and extremely lethal weapons.
However whatever effect racism had, it is dwarfed by the consequences of gun culture in America. If someone is pulled over here in Canada and the officer gets scared, he can create room and call for backup. A frightened officer in the USA has to draw or risk being shot while he moves to safety. As soon as someone has a gun, the stakes are magnified and there is no hope deescalating if you find yourself in a vulnerable position. The officer was a coward more than a murderer. These incidents will continue so long as people walk around with concealed, ranged, and extremely lethal weapons.
7
I keep seeing comments about "following commands," but I do not understand what command Castile disobeyed. Yanez did not tell Castile to freeze. He told him not to reach for his gun. Castile used his last words, having already been shot, to say he was NOT reaching for his gun and I see no particular reason to believe Yanez over him.
Now, that's not in and of itself proof of Yanez's guilt, but it DOES call into question why so many people keep saying Castile had to follow directions. Castile had complied with every instruction given and even voluntarily told Yanez about his firearm, which cuts against the idea that he was trying to draw on the officer. I do not see why people believe it plausible that a completely compliant person without any violent criminal history and who declared his legally carried weapon to a police officer in advance, would then decide to completely change their behavior for no reason whatsoever.
I find it much more plausible that a nervous officer began interpreting ALL movement as "reaching" for a weapon and decided that lethal force was necessary. Whether that is murder or manslaughter or some lesser offense is another story, but it is not a reasonable response.
Now, that's not in and of itself proof of Yanez's guilt, but it DOES call into question why so many people keep saying Castile had to follow directions. Castile had complied with every instruction given and even voluntarily told Yanez about his firearm, which cuts against the idea that he was trying to draw on the officer. I do not see why people believe it plausible that a completely compliant person without any violent criminal history and who declared his legally carried weapon to a police officer in advance, would then decide to completely change their behavior for no reason whatsoever.
I find it much more plausible that a nervous officer began interpreting ALL movement as "reaching" for a weapon and decided that lethal force was necessary. Whether that is murder or manslaughter or some lesser offense is another story, but it is not a reasonable response.
20
There are too many guns . Police officers shouldn't have to worry about someone having a gun in their car . They should be the only ones carrying with a gun .
Having said that , the officer seems to have completely overreacted . The driver told him he had a gun . It's heartbreaking .
Guns in glove compartments create an awful situation where police have to be afraid of being shot . That does not excuse his behavior , but it adds an element of danger which sets up a situation that can end in pure tragedy .
Having said that , the officer seems to have completely overreacted . The driver told him he had a gun . It's heartbreaking .
Guns in glove compartments create an awful situation where police have to be afraid of being shot . That does not excuse his behavior , but it adds an element of danger which sets up a situation that can end in pure tragedy .
4
This is an excellent example of how cameras can fail to clarify facts adequately beyond any reasonable doubt. It is clear from the audio that the officer perceived the driver's movements as a threat requiring that he shoot. Reaching for a location where a gun might be expected kept is sufficient for the officer to shoot. Accordingly, his actions were clearly done in self defense. Contrarily, the witness asserts with confidence that the driver was retrieving his license not his gun, and so the officer shot him without justification. However, the video cannot show us what was happening apart from what the officer said and from what the eyewitness claimed, so we cannot determine from the video whether the officer was describing what he saw or that he could see what the witness claimed to be obvious. Those who expect police to shoot people without any conscience will tend to believe the witness and not the officer. Those who believe that this officer was reacting to what he saw, will have to believe the officer and not the witness.
In using deadly force for self defense, the decision is based upon a best guess of what is about to happen not what has already happened. The only time that a reaction will not be a best guess will be after it is too late to prevent injury or death. This means that when anyone uses deadly force with justification it can appear to be an overreaction to anyone who thinks that there must be proof beyond any doubt of a deadly threat.
In using deadly force for self defense, the decision is based upon a best guess of what is about to happen not what has already happened. The only time that a reaction will not be a best guess will be after it is too late to prevent injury or death. This means that when anyone uses deadly force with justification it can appear to be an overreaction to anyone who thinks that there must be proof beyond any doubt of a deadly threat.
6
I really felt that if the officer standing on the passenger side of the vehicle had felt there was imminent threat, we would have seen him draw his gun as well. However, he stood there and jumped back when the firing started - totally not expecting anyone to be firing a gun. He die not seem on "high alert, as was the officer who did the shooting. I wonder if that observation was discussed during the trial.
10
Traffic stops are a fraught situation - the officer has no idea who you are, can't see completely into the vehicle and has no control of your hands. Anyone who fails to unambiguously obey an officer's command risk getting shot. This is not usually because of animus (racial or otherwise) but because of fear. If you are carrying a licensed firearm you have even more need to behave in a non threatening way.
Everyone seems to have his own truth about what happened and the motivation of the parties. You have course don't know, but if you go into a traffic stop with these sorts of attitudes you can end up in a world of hurt.
Everyone seems to have his own truth about what happened and the motivation of the parties. You have course don't know, but if you go into a traffic stop with these sorts of attitudes you can end up in a world of hurt.
8
And what do you claim the victim did wrong? He was calm. He advised the officer. There are no multiple truths - there's video. There's no attitude, there's no threatening manner from the victim.
I'm all on the officer's side when someone is giving them attitude and every reason to fear for their life. This is not that case.
I'm all on the officer's side when someone is giving them attitude and every reason to fear for their life. This is not that case.
2
what video did you watch Michael S? Mr . Castile was polite throughout the entire encounter, handed the officer his documentation, tried to let the officer know he had a firearm in advance, and told the officer he wasn't reaching for the gun. What attitude on the part of Mr. Castile are you talking about? What more should he have done in order to have prevented Officer Yanez going from executing a traffic stop to killing him in cold blood without provocation in a matter of less than 90 seconds?? At best it is a woefully unfit officer who should not be on the force. At worst, it is an example of the institutional racism and classism faced by our black brothers and sisters every single day.
12
According to the officer he refused to take his hand off his gun. Certainly the officer didn't enjoy the experience of killing someone and a jury agreed with the officer. It is sad to see that this country is full of people who substitute their own judgements for the actual evidence and the findings of a jury.
3
You can see Yanez looked around inside the car while Philando was getting his insurance card. Then, when Philando says, “Sir, I have to tell you, I do have a…” Yanez cuts him off saying, “okay.” I think Yanez saw the gun. He knew what Philando was going to say and he made up his mind that he was going to shoot him. If you watch the video very closely, you can see that Yanez begins to draw his gun out of the holster right when Philando finishes saying, “…firearm on me.” I’m a white man and all I see is a cold-blooded murder.
31
Watch and listen to the video again. Officer Yanez does let Castile finish the sentence about having a gun. Yanez then says, ok, don't reach for it. Castile for some reason says, i have to reach for it, and obviously does. There's no malicious intent from the officer here
3
One of the prime reasons carrying a concealed gun makes you less safe.
Along with the rest of us...
Thanks, NRA!
Along with the rest of us...
Thanks, NRA!
28
I'm neither a Blue Lives Matter nor a Black Lives Matter activist. My only concern is with trying to have common sense work as closely as possible with what we assume justice requires. Having read the testimony and seen what little video footage exists of the Michael Brown incident, I cannot be persuaded that he was unjustly killed by Officer Wilson. The Eric Garner incident, however, is just the opposite. Not only was Garner's crime merely the hawking of cigarettes, but everything in the video footage reveals a man who, though protesting the charges, was not interested in violence. I cannot be persuaded that he was justly killed.
With the Castile case, I needed more information. Mr. Castile's background (life, employment, his lawful permit to carry) and Ms. Reynolds' account of the shooting left me strongly inclined to think that Officer Yanez had employed an unjust use of force. Having watched this police video, although I can't see what Castile's hands were actually doing, I'm virtually convinced that he was unjustly killed.
I was raised around guns, responsibly, and my father always impressed upon me the importance of informing any officer who accosted me of any weapons I may have on my person or in my vehicle. "Always ask before reaching for your license," he said. As an adult, I still follow this advice because it's practical. Officer Yanez's reaction, however, along with his subsequent acquittal, makes me nervous. Castile used common sense, but injustice prevailed.
With the Castile case, I needed more information. Mr. Castile's background (life, employment, his lawful permit to carry) and Ms. Reynolds' account of the shooting left me strongly inclined to think that Officer Yanez had employed an unjust use of force. Having watched this police video, although I can't see what Castile's hands were actually doing, I'm virtually convinced that he was unjustly killed.
I was raised around guns, responsibly, and my father always impressed upon me the importance of informing any officer who accosted me of any weapons I may have on my person or in my vehicle. "Always ask before reaching for your license," he said. As an adult, I still follow this advice because it's practical. Officer Yanez's reaction, however, along with his subsequent acquittal, makes me nervous. Castile used common sense, but injustice prevailed.
29
So, you would have kept reaching for your wallet even with the police officer telling you multiple times to "don't reach for it".
I know this unspeakably sad shooting is being viewed from a number of perspectives, but two leap out to me: one, there has to be a better level of training and personality assessment before we trust police with the power of life and death - and more defined guidelines as to when that is legally allowed to come into play; and two, regardless of intent (and it does not sound like malice aforethought, but pure panic) it is utterly insane that the officer was acquitted of manslaughter. This is the essence of what that term means, however unintended.
Don't mean to soapbox here, but I'm pretty gobsmacked by the event and the acquittal.
Don't mean to soapbox here, but I'm pretty gobsmacked by the event and the acquittal.
132
I personally know police officers who went through the academy and had "tutors" for how to answer questions in the psychological evaluations. They were individuals who had no business serving or protecting. Much more has to be done to shine a light on these types of practices. These individuals held deep racist and sexist opinions and broke more laws than many people who end up in jail,
3
In Europe, police get three times the training of US police.
1
Self defense depends upon stopping a threat before one can be harmed. Once a gun is out and pointed at one the best one can hope for is to shoot the person as that person shoots you, and even that may not be possible. Thus, self defense demands acting upon what one thinks is about to happen. Most guns that are draw on officers are carried in waste bands so moving towards one's waste band is going to be sufficient cause for an officer to use deadly force. There is no requirement for knowing that one is in imminent peril beyond any reasonable doubt prior to defending oneself.
This is horrific. Mr. Castile was so calm, not a threat. Police officer amped up. No way should this happen but it seems to all the time. I agree, if he were white, I think the officer would have cut some slack.
5
Castile was murdered and it's infuriating that he will get no justice.
23
where's the NRA outrage over an armed citizen shot by a government employee under the color of law authority?
26
Very sad. People do stupid things when confronted by someone with authority. What is so hard about following simple commands?!? Especially when the person giving the command has a gun. Sheesh!
4
Mr. Castile did follow commands and the officer killed him for it. The officer escalated a traffic stop, Mr. Castile did not.
5
Mr. Castile followed every single command, and politely at that! Officer Yanez told the interrogating officer at the scene that he didn't know where the gun was. He never saw Mr. Castile pull out a gun. He imagined it. Is just being afraid enough to empty your clip into another person? What is the threshold?
6
W... What? How is it even possible to come to this conclusion without having the most severe case of just world fallacy?
2
The video clearly shows a cop who prematurely panicked and used lethal force unnecessarily. [With a child in the car!] More training is needed, to include alternatives to shooting a person dead. This is a tragedy on so many levels, not the least of which is how preventable it was.
106
Yes. Police are trained to arrest dangerous criminals & many do so successfully every day. Yanez clearly was never even qualified for the job!
1
When a police officer issues a command, obey the command. Do't disobey that command. Problem solved.
5
Except that Mr Castile was apparently in the process of obeying the officer's command to hand over his driver's license when he was shot. That's the problem with the "obey the officer" argument.
33
The officer instructed him to get his licence and insurance. The victim indicated he had a gun. The officer said not to take out the gun. The victim said he would not. I never heard the officer tell the victim to freeze, or put his hands in view, or anything to that effect. There seems to have been a miscommunication - the victim continuing to take out his licence, while the officer believes he has asked him to stop altogether, which he has not actually asked him to do. The victim continued to obey the command. So, as you can see, it is really not so simple and problem solved. But you know that. You just dont care.
9
He did obey every command, did everything the officer asked, and followed the law about advising the officer, calmly and respectfully of the existence of a legal gun.
Time to step out of your algorithm and look at the actual situation.
Time to step out of your algorithm and look at the actual situation.
6
This video is shocking and disturbing beyond all words. How this officer was acquitted is beyond comprehension.
30
This video does not implicate the cop in any way.
If the driver had put his hands up, it would've implicated the cop.
The cop says "don't reach for it" several times. Clearly, the driver continued to reach for something, which is why he is dead.
This cop had a duty: to get home safely to his family at the end of his shift.
Interesting how the passenger seems to feel in charge of the situation, though her choice was to ride around stoned in a car with a gun and HER 4YO.
If the driver had put his hands up, it would've implicated the cop.
The cop says "don't reach for it" several times. Clearly, the driver continued to reach for something, which is why he is dead.
This cop had a duty: to get home safely to his family at the end of his shift.
Interesting how the passenger seems to feel in charge of the situation, though her choice was to ride around stoned in a car with a gun and HER 4YO.
9
"This cop had a duty: to get home safely to his family at the end of his shift."
That is not in fact the cop's duty. A cop's duty is to protect and serve the public and ensure the laws are obeyed. Sometimes that requires that a cop not get home safely, and that sucks, but the fact of the matter is that cops have signed up to put themselves in harm's way to protect others. If a cop isn't prepared to do that, they're in the wrong line of work. And that duty extends to not shooting people just because you're scared of them.
And this is coming from someone who recently lost a dear friend to complications from injuries he had sustained in the line of duty as a police officer.
That is not in fact the cop's duty. A cop's duty is to protect and serve the public and ensure the laws are obeyed. Sometimes that requires that a cop not get home safely, and that sucks, but the fact of the matter is that cops have signed up to put themselves in harm's way to protect others. If a cop isn't prepared to do that, they're in the wrong line of work. And that duty extends to not shooting people just because you're scared of them.
And this is coming from someone who recently lost a dear friend to complications from injuries he had sustained in the line of duty as a police officer.
41
"This cop had a duty: to get home safely to his family at the end of his shift."
My hope is certainly for all cops to get home safely, but that is not their duty. Their duty is to protect the public which would include, to not kill a law abiding citizen at a traffic stop.
My hope is certainly for all cops to get home safely, but that is not their duty. Their duty is to protect the public which would include, to not kill a law abiding citizen at a traffic stop.
8
Since when is a cop sworn to do nothing but get home safely? Why do people say this so often as though it makes any kind of sense?
7
Clearly, our children's study of civics should include careful instruction in how to avoid being murdered by a public servant.
23
I think a sensible penalty for a broken taillight is a ticket. That bar should determine how much force an officer (of the law!) can use to enforce it. If the driver speeds off to avoid being ticketed, the officer has a record of his license number and two tickets can be sent: one for the taillight and one for resisting arrest. Shooting someone should not be on the table. We are somehow training officers to shoot first and ask questions later. This has to stop. Establish boundaries on a policeman's behavior. Their actions should not exceed the penalty for the infraction.
The death penalty for a broken taillight is absurd. If the police officer is too afraid to examine a scofflaw's driver's license, he should call for backup or run away like the coward he is. Shooting a man over an equipment violation should, at the least, automatically send someone to jail.
The death penalty for a broken taillight is absurd. If the police officer is too afraid to examine a scofflaw's driver's license, he should call for backup or run away like the coward he is. Shooting a man over an equipment violation should, at the least, automatically send someone to jail.
17
The use of lethal force was not due to the tail light, but due to the officers reaction to gun that was put in play. Even if the gun was legal, it could still be used to attack the officer. So far, the only proof I see is that the officer was super scared and was constantly telling the driver to not reach for the gun after a normal calm stop. That sort of tells me that either the officer snapped at the mention of a gun, or that the driver looked like they were reaching for their gun. As a jury I would not like the evidence overall, but would side with the officer due to the reaction. Yet, I would also ask the officer be removed from duty since they endangered a child who was in the back seat by shooting the driver.
1
If the cop was so scared, why didn't he simply back away from the car and call in reinforcements? Instead he machine-guns Philando Castile to death.
There will hopefully come a point in time when the courts judge in favour of those people who were shot dead, with the benefit of the doubt going to them, instead of the police!
There will hopefully come a point in time when the courts judge in favour of those people who were shot dead, with the benefit of the doubt going to them, instead of the police!
23
It is a horrible situation but, when you are faced with a split second choice you make the one that let's you go home to your family. This shooting had nothing to do with the man being black. It is unfortunate that he fit the description of a suspect and that he was carrying a gun. What the officer knew when he pulled him over was just that. This man fits the description of a robbery suspect not, oh here's a black guy I feel like shooting today. Should police just stop responding to any crimes that involve blacks? This officer may have been found not guilty but, he will live with this death forever.
11
No, police should be stopped from getting off scot free when they murder unarmed citizens, whether by bullet, choke-hold, or whatever.
The idea of police as "warrior police", rather than public servants, is tantamount to a public hazard to life and limb.
The idea of police as "warrior police", rather than public servants, is tantamount to a public hazard to life and limb.
5
God forbid we hold people who are supposedly trained and given power of life and death over others with some form of accountability. Castile will never go home to his family despite doing nothing wrong, why doesn't he matter to you?
5
I don't but that anymore. Even if true, a poor decision that ends another's life should have consequences.
1
Only in America.
21
Only in America. :(
6
I'm trying, I'm trying to sleep
But I can't, but I can't when you all have
Guns for hands
--Tyler Joseph, Twenty One Pilots
But I can't, but I can't when you all have
Guns for hands
--Tyler Joseph, Twenty One Pilots
1
Black and Blue all over...
Blue scared of Black shot Black because he was scared...
Poor training and poor evaluation for this type of officer... scared... to be on the streets. Where was ... Put your hands on the wheel... then... where is the gun?
Blue scared of Black shot Black because he was scared...
Poor training and poor evaluation for this type of officer... scared... to be on the streets. Where was ... Put your hands on the wheel... then... where is the gun?
33
Let's be frank. This cop was probably not suitably experienced, he was scared, he knows that black males account for a high percentage of the crime committed in the country, he wants to go home at night in one piece, he's confronted with a black male who admits that he has a gun, and shoots when the male makes what the cop considered sudden, unexpected movements.
13
The fact that you want to justify it like that makes me nauseous.
If I were black man I'd fear for my life right now, because apparently I could've been killed without any repercussion to the perpetrators.
If I were black man I'd fear for my life right now, because apparently I could've been killed without any repercussion to the perpetrators.
12
A mistake that ends another life still needs consequences.
75
No, it doesn't. A mistake that is a mistake - just because the outcome is bad doesn't mean it needs consequences.
This does - this is no mistake. He pulls the gun and shoots wildly.
But if I mistakenly step into the street near a car, and someone who stops quickly to avoid me ends up having an accident with another car - I did not commit manslaughter nor anything else. The action, not the outcome, should determine the penalty.
This does - this is no mistake. He pulls the gun and shoots wildly.
But if I mistakenly step into the street near a car, and someone who stops quickly to avoid me ends up having an accident with another car - I did not commit manslaughter nor anything else. The action, not the outcome, should determine the penalty.
Black with a gun. That's all Yanez needed to know. That's all his department needed to know. That's all the jury and judge needed to know. That's all the police and court involved with a black kid with a toy gun needed to know. That's all a cop seeing a black man purchasing a gun in a Walmart needed to know. They didn't need to know a black man can be licensed to carry and it didn't matter that the man complied with the law and declared the gun. It's not common knowledge. It's common ignorance.
Black men are treated the same as pit bulls. It doesn't matter how nice they really are, they look dangerous to the common ignorant and get put down immediately "to be safe". After all, they can turn on you at any moment. It's what they do. Not like cops.
Black men are treated the same as pit bulls. It doesn't matter how nice they really are, they look dangerous to the common ignorant and get put down immediately "to be safe". After all, they can turn on you at any moment. It's what they do. Not like cops.
75
"That's all a cop seeing a black man purchasing a gun in a Walmart needed to know."
Actually, in the John Crawford III case that you reference here, he wasn't even purchasing a gun, he was purchasing a toy gun suitable for his kid. In the toy section of the store. As has been shown time and time again, for some cops, black people and black men in particular don't need a gun to be seen as a threat, no matter what they're doing.
Actually, in the John Crawford III case that you reference here, he wasn't even purchasing a gun, he was purchasing a toy gun suitable for his kid. In the toy section of the store. As has been shown time and time again, for some cops, black people and black men in particular don't need a gun to be seen as a threat, no matter what they're doing.
15
They say the color of justice is Green: Cosby vs. Castile. Not saying Cosby is guilty, but the Judicial System didn't run him over- did it."Even the black jurors were in favor of Acquittal" all over the internet. Who is blatantly racist and stupid putting this out there. Total reason for retrial. This is insane. Black covers wide origin. By the way, Police support Trump so I'm sure it paid off.
It is "blatantly racist and stupid" only if it is untrue. I have read reports of various jury members' and none offer any proof that their views were supported, acquittal or no acquittal, by facts.
And I am not one to overlook the fact that police are permitted to lie through their teeth to such a degree, that merely lying to a jury would be second nature.
And I am not one to overlook the fact that police are permitted to lie through their teeth to such a degree, that merely lying to a jury would be second nature.
1
When a cop says "don't reach for it," you might want to heed him. Castile was stoned out of his mind, and it was his 50-something traffic citation, so he wasn't very good at following simple instructions. It cost him his life.
Sad, but not murder. If you think you can do better than Officer Yanez, become a cop. Otherwise, keep your armchair quarterbacking to yourself.
Sad, but not murder. If you think you can do better than Officer Yanez, become a cop. Otherwise, keep your armchair quarterbacking to yourself.
15
"It" was a gun. He was not reaching for his gun. He said several times he was reaching for his wallet. Yanez was not listening. Yanez said Castile was gripping something too wide to be a wallet. I don't know what wallets Yanez is familiar with, but mine is definitely wider than the grip of a gun.
16
Too bad the eye witness completely contradicts everything you just said.
1
How much did you read on this case to come to the conclusion that the reason Mr. Castile was "stoned out of his mind?" Last time I checked being stoned doesn't usually make one violent - meth maybe, not weed. Also, according to many experts, because marijuana stays in one's system for 30 days or more, it is almost impossible to determine when a person last smoked weed. And according to Yanez' testimony he stopped Mr. Castile because he looked like a robbery suspect from a few days earlier - Black man w/ dread locks and a "wide-set nose." So there goes your "stoned out of his mind" defense.
1
There will come a time when people will NO longer want justice to be served BUT for revenge to be exacted because clearly Black people WILL NOT receive justice in the court of law.
13
Revenge is already the common denominator, in those court cases where a family can publicly -- and not infrequently, in court -- claim they want a defendant to be put to death because they "need closure" -- 'closure' being the politically correct spelling of 'revenge'.
2
If police officers are this frightened of black men, they should not be police officers. He never saw a gun, but he clearly panicked and fired directly at the man, who was reaching for his drivers' license as requested. The question is, would he have fired had Castille not mentioned that he had a gun?
This is a huge miscarriage of justice. Anyone can say - and does - that they feared for their life. If police fear for their lives so routinely, maybe they need to find another occupation.
This is a huge miscarriage of justice. Anyone can say - and does - that they feared for their life. If police fear for their lives so routinely, maybe they need to find another occupation.
242
The officer need not see a gun to react as if there was one, he just needed to sincerely fear that the driver was reaching for a gun. Castillo did mention that he had a gun and the officer did not know where it was. Most guns drawn on police are carried in waistbands and so when someone moves a hand towards a waistband it should be as the officer commands not as the driver acts voluntarily to keep the situation from becoming dangerous.
1
That the officer was acquitted is a stain on a society which such a jury was selected from.
As far as the officer - seven shots at a seated person who would have rather difficult time to shoot at the officer' even if he wanted to.
Obviously, Castile has had no such intention if he inform the officer of his (licensed) gun.
Shamee on the jury and, if I were the prosecutor, I'd appeal the verdict.
As far as the officer - seven shots at a seated person who would have rather difficult time to shoot at the officer' even if he wanted to.
Obviously, Castile has had no such intention if he inform the officer of his (licensed) gun.
Shamee on the jury and, if I were the prosecutor, I'd appeal the verdict.
14
Nearly 80% of these case don't even go to trial, they never get past a grand jury. It's sad, the only justification needed is to be afraid.
4
You would have difficulty in retrying a man who has received a verdict from a jury: the legal process was completed and the right to be exempted from being tried twice for the same crime. At least, so far as criminal charges are concerned. Proving, post facto, that a jury was incompetent to judge the case fairly is a very steep uphill climb, even for the best of attorneys, given that it is the attorneys themselves who select the jury members.
There is of course civil action against the officer, which the family could bring (if they are able to afford the cost).
There is of course civil action against the officer, which the family could bring (if they are able to afford the cost).
2
Money would not be an issue. If the family was interested in pursuing this further there are plenty of Americans willing to donate to see justice done.
1
Armchair jurors who refer to this event as "murder" please remember that the real jury--the one that went through weeks of testimony and deliberation--took a different view.
2
From what we see, Philando Castile should not have been shot. Philando Castile should still be alive. And Officer Yanez should be paying a price for his act.
But -- and bear with me on this -- if you want this to happen less often, the solution is not to conflate this killing with blanket condemnations of America and all Americans as white supremacists. That conflation will cause good people who would otherwise care about this to close their ears.
An innocent man, from what we can see, was killed by a police officer who, from what we can see, was incompetent.
We want this to happen less often. We want this to change. Stereotyping America as a racist nation is a separate issue and that insistence conflated with Castile's killing will hamper progress.
We can make officer-citizen interactions less violent. We can start now. Constantly harping on how bad America will only delay action.
But -- and bear with me on this -- if you want this to happen less often, the solution is not to conflate this killing with blanket condemnations of America and all Americans as white supremacists. That conflation will cause good people who would otherwise care about this to close their ears.
An innocent man, from what we can see, was killed by a police officer who, from what we can see, was incompetent.
We want this to happen less often. We want this to change. Stereotyping America as a racist nation is a separate issue and that insistence conflated with Castile's killing will hamper progress.
We can make officer-citizen interactions less violent. We can start now. Constantly harping on how bad America will only delay action.
9
America is clearly more racist than it would like to admit, when so many are approving of Officer Yanez' actions in this case, including the jury.
7
It seems clear from this video that the officer panicked. And because of his panic a man was killed. Simple.
25
There is much wrong and simply 'unprofessional' about the officer's behavior prior to the exchange even beginning to escalate - notably, the officer's actual words at the very beginning of the interaction - particularly in referencing ID. The sentence "Do you have [ID, license, et al] ..." is loaded with a ton of assumptions well known to those of us in User Experience and related sciences. The human asked such a question all too often hears instead "...Get your ID out of your wallet et al..." The officer placing his hand on his gun (procedure) without stating exactly why he was doing such along with his poor and inexact communication = a recipe for disaster. When you put on the uniform of a police officer and proceed to then interact with people, communication precision is as critical as the law s/he swore to uphold is precise. It's a level of precision offen found in BASIC COMMON SENSE too.
2
Are you are you kidding me? This cop is as guilty as can be. He asks the man for his ID and when Castile reaches in his pocket to comply - BAM! Yes he said he had a firearm.
No one intent in harming someone with a firearm would A) Announce they had possession of one. B) Fire it from a seated position while wearing a seat belt while the officer is in a better position to retaliate. This was murder. Pure. Simple. Documented.
Furthermore the officer lied that he told Castile to take his hand off his firearm.
That assumed Castile was his already holding his firearm present tense. "Don't reach for it" is an instruction about the future which sadly Castile never got to see. Justice was not served here.
No one intent in harming someone with a firearm would A) Announce they had possession of one. B) Fire it from a seated position while wearing a seat belt while the officer is in a better position to retaliate. This was murder. Pure. Simple. Documented.
Furthermore the officer lied that he told Castile to take his hand off his firearm.
That assumed Castile was his already holding his firearm present tense. "Don't reach for it" is an instruction about the future which sadly Castile never got to see. Justice was not served here.
49
It's so clear the cop just wholly lost control of himself entirely. Why any police force could defend this individual's slaughter--7 shots--is reprehensible; as is the jury acquitting him. It will never stop as long as the police and juries don't convict--and that's on all of us.
35
It's crystal clear that Yanez was fearful and reacted with violence as a result. This was fear aggression, pure and simple.
My question is why didn't the department screen him out for this? I would think that excessive fear would be screened out along with excessive aggression and other pathologies incompatible with policing. I'd guess his own peers would have spotted this, as cops generally tend to have a good sense for these kinds of things. They could even have prison inmates review officers for this, they have a keenly developed sense of fear and weakness.
I often wonder if the department knew he was fearful and easily excited, but kept him anyway because he added an element of diversity to their ranks.
My question is why didn't the department screen him out for this? I would think that excessive fear would be screened out along with excessive aggression and other pathologies incompatible with policing. I'd guess his own peers would have spotted this, as cops generally tend to have a good sense for these kinds of things. They could even have prison inmates review officers for this, they have a keenly developed sense of fear and weakness.
I often wonder if the department knew he was fearful and easily excited, but kept him anyway because he added an element of diversity to their ranks.
11
This whole episode is stomach-turning. I, too, have tried to be objective about police shootings in light of how dangerous and unpredictable an officer's job can be. It's hard to see anything in this episode except racism and, in view of the dash-cam footage, an hysteric who never should have been carrying a badge.
23
As an attorney, and someone who previously served as a juror in a high profile case, I am hesitant to ever second guess a jury, but I would really appreciate it if one of the jurors would share with us how they reached their decision.
5
What we continue to see in these terrible tragedies are examples of a mismatch between heavily armed policemen/women and the necessary training to employ the weapons they carry. Clearly, this officer did not have the training or psychological profile to handle a stop like this.
15
Did anybody ask the second cop standing to the right of the car what he saw. If he saw the occupant reaching for a gun his body language did not show it. This seems like a good argument for civilians to not carry guns. If the victim had not told the officer about his legal carry and the office saw it anyway would the result have been the same for the victim.
6
I can tell you what the other officer said, or was instructed to say, without even seeing the report. "it looked like he was reaching for something."
7
Yet, conservatives want open carry everywhere and now are pushing for concealed carry without permits.
3
The video left me feeling that this guy has no business being a police officer. He lost his cool almost immediately and escalated to deadly force in a jaw droppingly short time. The law gives his state of mind--whether reasonably based or not--weight over the actual reality of the threat, so he gets off for acting on his fear and a young man is dead for no good reason. He should at least be fired from the force for being such a hothead and making such poor judgments.
18
Didn't the defense make a big deal out of the cop knowing he was high on peaceful pot and that is why he had reason to shoot? A crazy thought since most stats show people are not violent when high on pot. Meanwhile can't see that at all here. The prosecutor was completely lame. This should of been a slam dunk win, the cop murdered him.
My word of advice when being pulled over. Get out of the car. The police will say to stay in the car but every cop knows they are most likely to get shot when walking up to a motorist sitting in their car with the gun hidden in their lap. So get out of the car with hands up and the cops will feel safer and less likely to shoot out of nervousness.
My word of advice when being pulled over. Get out of the car. The police will say to stay in the car but every cop knows they are most likely to get shot when walking up to a motorist sitting in their car with the gun hidden in their lap. So get out of the car with hands up and the cops will feel safer and less likely to shoot out of nervousness.
1
7 shots with a baby in the car? No. Officer did not do his job at all. He failed. Now the courts failed.
22
This was outright murder. If the cop has any kind of conscience, I hope he will never sleep well, again. I can't imagine living with something like this. I can't imagine what kind of juror could see this video and vote not guilty. I hope none of them can sleep again, either. This is purely outrageous, even if it is commonplace.
3
What transpired in the missing 10 seconds of the tape (5:50 to 5:50) after the officer asked him for his license and insurance? That would seem to be a crucial time that is not shown here during which Castile was either reaching for his wallet or reaching for a gun.
The fact that immediately afterward the shooting Yanez says he never saw a gun would seem to be an admission that he did not have a basis to shoot. Some wallets can be pretty wide and can be black, but they are not metal and simply do not look like guns.
Would it not be prudent for officers to simply ask drivers to get out of their cars when pulled over? They could then ask for the license, registration, and insurance card and where they are located. Obviously the officer can't then retrieve them since it would amount to a search of the car without probably cause, but having the driver state where those items are and have the officer watch them being retrieved from the stated location could be a lot safer.
Here, it seems the problem was Castile stating he had a weapon but not having it indicated to the officer where the weapon was, as distinguished from where the wallet or documents were located.
A lot of snap judgments were made here and none of them well thought out. Tired of seeing police fire into vehicles.
The fact that immediately afterward the shooting Yanez says he never saw a gun would seem to be an admission that he did not have a basis to shoot. Some wallets can be pretty wide and can be black, but they are not metal and simply do not look like guns.
Would it not be prudent for officers to simply ask drivers to get out of their cars when pulled over? They could then ask for the license, registration, and insurance card and where they are located. Obviously the officer can't then retrieve them since it would amount to a search of the car without probably cause, but having the driver state where those items are and have the officer watch them being retrieved from the stated location could be a lot safer.
Here, it seems the problem was Castile stating he had a weapon but not having it indicated to the officer where the weapon was, as distinguished from where the wallet or documents were located.
A lot of snap judgments were made here and none of them well thought out. Tired of seeing police fire into vehicles.
8
Maybe some new tech may help this confusion, scan a plate and see who owns the car and drives the car and a virtual license, insurance and registration pops up with no need for further documents, unless the car is borrowed.
1
Why on earth are police officers allowed to be scared, getting away with murder and everyone else is supposed to remain calm?
17
If large awards to the family are mandated whenever it is not clearly required, cities and towns will better train their officers and these instances will be greatly reduced.
I always taught my soldiers and students of whatever color, race, or ethnicity, including beige (Do you know any 'white' people?) to before the officer arrives put their wallet and both hands on the dashboard. If they have automatic windows, open them all unless it is pouring rain. And to roll down their window.
I know several men who can draw and accurately fire faster than you can pull a trigger. There is good reason to be paranoid as a police Officer approaching a car and as a driver or passenger.
And yes, I have received for "running a stop sign" with the first question was in reference to my black babysitter being a 'prostitute'! She definitely was not, was modestly dressed, and we were in front of a hospital.
In court the judge threw the ticket out because the second officer refused to perjure himself.
But whatever your age and ethnicity, place that license on your dashboard and both hands on it.
One of the classic police textbooks open with a statuesque blond with a revolver under her left armpit. Few officers notice that revolver until it is pointed out!
Women also kill.
I always taught my soldiers and students of whatever color, race, or ethnicity, including beige (Do you know any 'white' people?) to before the officer arrives put their wallet and both hands on the dashboard. If they have automatic windows, open them all unless it is pouring rain. And to roll down their window.
I know several men who can draw and accurately fire faster than you can pull a trigger. There is good reason to be paranoid as a police Officer approaching a car and as a driver or passenger.
And yes, I have received for "running a stop sign" with the first question was in reference to my black babysitter being a 'prostitute'! She definitely was not, was modestly dressed, and we were in front of a hospital.
In court the judge threw the ticket out because the second officer refused to perjure himself.
But whatever your age and ethnicity, place that license on your dashboard and both hands on it.
One of the classic police textbooks open with a statuesque blond with a revolver under her left armpit. Few officers notice that revolver until it is pointed out!
Women also kill.
1
Utterly ridiculous that AMERICAN CITIZENS need fear death from a traffic stop, cops or civilians. You may know somebody who can draw from a seated position and fire before you can pull your trigger, such individuals are exceedingly rare. i mostly blame the NRA, decades ago (think the 90's) carrying loaded firearms was rare. Now, with gun obsessed civilians, militia, gang members, drunks, cops have learned to be on high vigilance on traffic stops, any of which can involve "another nut with a gun". Very sad, hard if not impossible to get the genie back in the bottle and all for the greed of gun manufacturers and sellers, not to mention paranoid Americans.
3
How can someone objectively view this video and absolve the cop from culpability? This is disturbing on so many levels. The greatest tragedy was that an innocent man was killed. But is is compounded by the the cop not be held accountable for his actions. I understand that being a cop is a dangerous job, but it is also hard for me not to think this cop would have acted differently had the people he pulled over looked more like him.
152
Being Black in America is a hard job. Who hired Yanez? Both are guilty of voluntary manslaughter.
1
Two Words: Stun Gun.
Had the officer fired an incapacitating electric shock rather than bullets...; instead we have one life taken and many others terribly damaged. For nothing.
The answer here is so simple...the instant lethal force afforded by a gun is an evil too easily wielded.
Had the officer fired an incapacitating electric shock rather than bullets...; instead we have one life taken and many others terribly damaged. For nothing.
The answer here is so simple...the instant lethal force afforded by a gun is an evil too easily wielded.
112
Lethal guns are power and penis proxies. Men are loath to be emasculated, and some would consider carrying a less-lethal gun an emasculation. A cop who would rather have a lethal gun than a stun gun is loathsome.
Why did Mr Castile need to be hit with anything at all? He hadn't broken a law, nor made any kind of sudden movement.
2
The officer would never use an electric shocking device in response to a threat from a firearm. It would be an inappropriate response. The muscles of the person shocked would likely spasm and cause the firearm to discharge which could result in someone being shot and killed.
1
This is very disturbing! All this over a tail light, and with a baby in the car ?
This was easily avoidable. The officer could've stepped back, out of sight of the driver.
This was easily avoidable. The officer could've stepped back, out of sight of the driver.
47
How can you look at this video and believe that this officer is not guilty of anything? The officer's automatic presumption was that this man was a threat. It didn't even cross his mind to ask if Castile was licensed to carry, or where the gun was in the car. The officer just reached for his gun and within seconds starting shooting. Was it even revealed where the gun was in the car? Did the officer actually see the gun? Castile moved (again in only a couple seconds) and that was enough to be considered a threat and get shot. No matter that there was a child in the backseat.
61
Trevor Noah observes that, of all the outrageous and loud proclamations from the National Rifle Association about the value of unrestricted weapons ownership, not to mention railing against potentially tyrannical government forces, why are they silent about a black man with a licensed handgun being murdered by a nervous cop overcome with panic. "What does it take for a black man not to be shot?" And what does it take to reverse institutional racism?
203
And what will it take to not let this country slip into the mayhem as seen in the Phillipines?
1
Exactly. All we here from the NRA is crickets. I think it is because they use fear of the black thing as a way to increase their membership. Now we are looking for them to speak in support of someone that looks like the type of people they want their membership to fear. Not going to happen..
12
Once again the justice system has clearly failed this man's family. The officer did every single thing wrong, including firing into a car with a child present, on a guy who did everything right. Still no justice.
More useless, untrained cops. More killings. More exoneration. The cycle never seems to stop here.
More useless, untrained cops. More killings. More exoneration. The cycle never seems to stop here.
137
Yanez clearly states after the shooting "I don't know where the gun was." For him to then get on the stand and claim to have seen the gun is called perjury. How the jury could not have seen that as a baldfaced lie is beyond me. Yanez is not constitutionally suited to be a police officer. I hope he finds a more appropriate line of work.
96
"How the jury could not have seen that as a baldfaced lie is beyond me."
I'm guessing the defense cherry-picked the jury to be not particularly observant or intelligent. It makes sense considering the officer must surely have had more robust legal representation.
I'm guessing the defense cherry-picked the jury to be not particularly observant or intelligent. It makes sense considering the officer must surely have had more robust legal representation.
1
I hope the family of Philandro Castile gets an enormous settlement in civil court. Police academies and departments who put these inadequately trained and panicky officers out onto the streets won't stop until cities are sued and held accountable for the deaths of innocent persons.
110
I don't think these settlements are making a bit of difference. The police officers aren't paying these settlements, WE the tax payers are. So we pay these police officers salaries who murder innocent Black men, then we pay for them to be on paid leave (vacation) while the case goes to court, then we pay for the trial for an officer to be found not guilty, then we pay again for these civil suits.
When the actual police officer who shoots someone innocently is held accountable for even a percentage of these lawsuits, then MAYBE they amy think twice before killing innocent people.
When the actual police officer who shoots someone innocently is held accountable for even a percentage of these lawsuits, then MAYBE they amy think twice before killing innocent people.
9
Philando Castille: Good guy with a gun.
Jeronimo Yanez: Bad buy with a gun.
How'd that work out for you, NRA?
Why the silence?
Jeronimo Yanez: Bad buy with a gun.
How'd that work out for you, NRA?
Why the silence?
86
Not sure what the NRA has to do with any of this.
So a good guy with a gun, with a license to carry is just as vulnerable as anyone to be shot. So how are police handling this? The good guys simply become bad guys and you can shoot them because you are afraid for your life?
30
Yanez' observation about Castile's "wide-set nose" speaks volumes. I'm also curious as to why Yanez fouind it necessary to fire seven times.
68
When justifying lethal force, it looks suspicious if a firearm is only discharged once or twice. If you are truly in fear for your life you would use all of the firepower at your disposal to neutrolize the individual causing said fear. Use of less force is used as justification for charges and as evidence in trials.
1
This was so hard to watch and listen to. This man was simply trying to comply with the officer's request and he was murdered for it.
37
Clearly the problem here is that this guy was driving around with a gun. I can't believe anyone believes having a gun is ever a good idea. And I can't believe that people think that a law enacted 200 years ago still makes sense today, i.e., the 2nd amendment.
10
No that's not the problem. Mr. Castile was legally entitled and licensed to have a firearm in his car. The problem is that because he stated he had a gun, within seconds the officer presumed he was a threat. The officer didn't ask was he licensed or where the gun was located. He just shot the man after he moved. Again within the span of just a couple seconds. Don't blame the man that was murdered.
5
It is because of our second amendment that we are able to keep our freedom. If American citizens did not have this right, we would be in the same situation as many countries overseas. Be glad that we have the right to protect ourselves and our homes. It is not the NRA that puts guns in criminals hands or causes gun violence. Chicago has strict gun laws and just had it's 300th homicide. Criminals would still get guns. It is unfortunate when things like this shooting happen but, all the officer knew is this man fits the description of a robbery suspect, he had a gun in the car, he started reaching and in a second he had a decision do I take a chance and die or do I go home to my family. He made the choice I know I would make and I am sure if people were honest they would make too.
MJ: Countless black men have been shot because the officer thought they had a gun when it was only a cell phone or wallet in their hand. The problem here was not Philandro's legally owned gun. The problem is that we are all trained to fear black men. This has been true since the first enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas. The persistent, deeply embedded culture of racism is what cost this man his life.
7
Who decides when the video is released?
Over the last 14 years, Castile had been pulled over by police 52 times.
Officer Yanez again yells, “Don’t pull it out!” Then he fires seven shots, fatally wounding Mr. Castile. “I wasn’t reaching,” Mr. Castile says softly just after the gunfire stops.
Over the last 14 years, Castile had been pulled over by police 52 times.
Officer Yanez again yells, “Don’t pull it out!” Then he fires seven shots, fatally wounding Mr. Castile. “I wasn’t reaching,” Mr. Castile says softly just after the gunfire stops.
34
Great point! Love the way he's portrayed as the "good guy"!
"Over the last 14 years, Castile had been pulled over by police 52 times."
An interesting question is why he was being pulled over so frequently. That's once every few weeks, and I highly doubt that his driving was *that* bad. I consider it far more likely that the police routinely profiled him, assuming that a black guy driving a nice car was a drug dealer or something along those lines.
An interesting question is why he was being pulled over so frequently. That's once every few weeks, and I highly doubt that his driving was *that* bad. I consider it far more likely that the police routinely profiled him, assuming that a black guy driving a nice car was a drug dealer or something along those lines.
2
Being pulled over 52 times in 14 years is fewer than 4 times per year.
Until state laws regarding justification of force by police are changed from "a feeling of threat to the officer", juries will continue to deliver not guilty verdicts in cases such as this. This standard is different from the general public.
44
This reminds me of a case that did not involve police. Two small groups of young men who did not know each other exchanged angry words on the street. One young man, who was legally carrying a gun, saw one of the other young men start to pull up his pants and thought he was reaching for a gun and shot him. The shooter was acquitted because he honestly but mistakenly felt threatened. When there are so many guns around, and you yourself have a gun, you are more likely to use it. Police are terrified of being shot during traffic stops, but need to be more careful about shooting people who are not actually threatening them.
2
Killed for legally carrying with a wide nose. Where is the NRA?
72
Trying, as best I can, to see the killings of innocent black drivers from the perspective of the policemen who shoot them, it is obvious that the moment the driver reaches for his pocketed driver's license is an inherently ambiguous one. Since his hand is temporarily hidden from the officer's view, the officer naturally considers the possibility that the driver is reaching for a gun. With his adrenaline pumping at full capacity, this is arguably the most tense moment in the encounter for the officer and one that the police have all too often misconstrued in the heat of the moment. But it need not be that way. If any driver willing to go to the trouble simply displayed their driver's license prominently when first entering their vehicle, such as by taping it to the dashboard or, a more permanent solution, by having perforated its corner and suspending it on a string or chain from, say, the blinker lever, this simple precaution could save lives. The driver could well find this demeaning, and I wouldn't argue the point, except to say that the driver's life is worth it.
7
Yes, it's the black driver's fault, payable with the penalty of death?
How about if the officer had:
a) Asked castille where the gun was
b) Asked castille to put his hands on the wheel, or the dashboard
c) Slowed the situation down, secured the suspect, secured the gun?
The whole point of this is that the citizenry should not be at the mercy of police officers who cannot control their adrenaline and are empowered to shoot at will simply by telling a jury later that they were scared. I hope that this officer, and the city that hired and trained him, pay dearly at the civil trial.
How about if the officer had:
a) Asked castille where the gun was
b) Asked castille to put his hands on the wheel, or the dashboard
c) Slowed the situation down, secured the suspect, secured the gun?
The whole point of this is that the citizenry should not be at the mercy of police officers who cannot control their adrenaline and are empowered to shoot at will simply by telling a jury later that they were scared. I hope that this officer, and the city that hired and trained him, pay dearly at the civil trial.
3
Bet you anything you care to name that if every black person in America tattooed their driver's license on their foreheads, amputated both hands, and went around stark naked, 100s would still get shot every year because a police officer "thought s/he was going for a gun."
12
You are blaming the victim.
3
The NRA should be at the head of the line calling for conviction of this cop. The victim was shot because he was legally possessing a firearm. And oh, because he was black. That too.
69
Someone should found the NRAACP.
3
What happened to wounding a suspect? Step away from the scene as him to step out... many alternative s... there was another officer there! Why is it always kill the suspect? All these police seem afraid.,. and it's their job to be managing the situation. Terrible police training. Of course now everyone has guns... this is one result of that. Too many guns in America... too many people afraid...follow the Australian model.
33
You don't shoot to wound, you shoot until you have gained compliance.
Police officers are NOT trained to shoot to injure. They never have been.
They are trained to shoot to kill when they feel their own lives are at risk, which this officer clearly did.
Would love to see all of the commenters here in this cop's position act any differently than he did.
They are trained to shoot to kill when they feel their own lives are at risk, which this officer clearly did.
Would love to see all of the commenters here in this cop's position act any differently than he did.
5
Until the officer actually sees a clear and present danger he must refrain from using deadly force. That is just part of the job he is paid to do and Americans can not afford to have people or policies that don't protect the public first. This is a case of 1st degree manslaughter in the least and possible murder since the officer intended to kill this man without evidence of wrong doing.
2
Trigger happy does not begin to describe this Cop. This is the behavior of a very fresh rookie. An extreme lack of proper training and supervision, yes.
But mostly, this person was completely unfit for the job. Self admitted
" nervous" reaction. Become an unarmed security officer.
As for the jury, were you all asleep, eager to just leave, or too cowed to understand AND provide some some small measure of justice??? Shame on you, each and every one. Your children will be so proud, in years to come. NOT. I sincerely hope this murdered mans Family sue the police dept., the City, everyone possible. In FEDERAL court. Perhaps when cities must pay bankruptcy level judgements, over and over, this will start to change. And guess what taxpayers- YOU are paying for all this. Think about that, when you go to vote. Seek Justice, Demand Change.
But mostly, this person was completely unfit for the job. Self admitted
" nervous" reaction. Become an unarmed security officer.
As for the jury, were you all asleep, eager to just leave, or too cowed to understand AND provide some some small measure of justice??? Shame on you, each and every one. Your children will be so proud, in years to come. NOT. I sincerely hope this murdered mans Family sue the police dept., the City, everyone possible. In FEDERAL court. Perhaps when cities must pay bankruptcy level judgements, over and over, this will start to change. And guess what taxpayers- YOU are paying for all this. Think about that, when you go to vote. Seek Justice, Demand Change.
81
From what this objective viewer saw and heard, I'm disappointed the officer was acquitted. Clearly this officer panicked and proved he doesn't have what it takes for the job. Fortunately the burden of proof is lower in a civil case and the family will be see some justice there.
85
This video is shocking. I can not see how a reasonable human being can think it was justified to shoot this man after this exchange. Especially since he was in the car with his family, including a small child.
I can also not see how the jury came to the conclusion that the officer was reasonably afraid for his life in this situation. By this definition he could always shoot anyone walking down the street, because anyone could theoretically pull a gun at any time.
I can also not see how the jury came to the conclusion that the officer was reasonably afraid for his life in this situation. By this definition he could always shoot anyone walking down the street, because anyone could theoretically pull a gun at any time.
197
Well you just described the rationale for the "Stand Your Ground" laws so beloved by the NRA.
2
This is such a tragedy and is happening too often in our society today. The most compelling piece of evidence which is not mentioned in this article is that the second officer on the passenger side never reached for his gun. If the victim had been reaching for his firearm, BOTH officers would have reached for their guns. It is clear to me that the officer who murdered the victim had a complete overreaction to this incident and did not give the victim time to provide the documents he claims to have been reaching for at the time. I really do believe if this young man had been white, this would have ended very differently. When you unload 7 rounds from your gun into someone, your intent is to kill them, not to just disable them. Clearly, I saw a very different video than the jurors because based on what I see here, the officer is guilty of 2nd degree manslaughter as charged.
106
Having viewed the video, repeatedly and carefully, I am firmly convinced that "Officer" Jeronimo Yanez was completely negligent with regard to the skills required to handle this simple traffic stop. His immediate panic as Castile reached for identification is not at all explainable. His subsequent lies about the directions he claims to have given Castile are designed to protect his ego from the reality that he killed an innocent man. He could have simply stepped behind the doorpost until he saw Castile's ID. He never saw a gun, despite his lies. Jeronimo Yanez nervously clutched the grip of his weapon even as Castile was properly self identifying that he was carrying concealed. Jeronimo Yanez stupidly panicked and presumed he would be shot by an individual that clearly had passed a criminal background check to possess a concealed weapons permit. In some states, there is a charge that might properly fit this situation - Criminally Negligent Homicide.
182
"Criminally Negligent Homicide"
Negligent? Negligent would imply that Officer Yanez did not intend to kill Mr Castile when he shot him. Which he did. And then he lied about it.
Negligent? Negligent would imply that Officer Yanez did not intend to kill Mr Castile when he shot him. Which he did. And then he lied about it.
4
Dave - "Negligent" means failure to master the knowledge, skills, and composure necessary in the performance of his duty : to serve and protect the public.
1
How on Earth anyone can see this and not think the cop is a murderer is simply beyond me. The love of authority in the United States is getting people killed, and letting the killers walk. It has to end. Now.
161
If police officers only strategy for dealing with tense situations is to shoot people, what's the point?
193
Carrying while white - protected by the Second Amendment and defended at all costs by the NRA, regardless of the innocents who may die at the hands of a gun-wielding killer, as long as he's white.
Carrying while black, or even just the perception that one might be carrying while black - too often a death sentence at the hands of cops afraid by the simple existence of these black men (and sometimes women). The victims here are represented by who? Certainly not the NRA.
So now is it obvious the NRA has little interest in protecting guns and all gun owners and is all about keeping the old world order....
Today one again, I'm ashamed of my country, and weep that we're not better than this as a people.
Carrying while black, or even just the perception that one might be carrying while black - too often a death sentence at the hands of cops afraid by the simple existence of these black men (and sometimes women). The victims here are represented by who? Certainly not the NRA.
So now is it obvious the NRA has little interest in protecting guns and all gun owners and is all about keeping the old world order....
Today one again, I'm ashamed of my country, and weep that we're not better than this as a people.
236