One Officer Fired in Baton Rouge, Graphic Videos Released
One officer in Baton Rouge is fired and another is suspended after the police chief releases details of an internal investigation into the death of Alton Sterling.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul has decided to fire officer Blane Salamoni in connection with the shooting death of Alton Sterling. Another officer, Howie Lake has been suspended for three days after results of an internal probe are released. Lake helped wrestle Sterling to the ground but did not fire his weapon that night.
The death of Sterling sparked widespread protests in Baton Rouge.
The firing of Salamoni comes less than a week after State Attorney General Jeff Landry ruled out any criminal charges against the officers in connection with Sterling’s July 2016 death.
“My decision was not based on politics,” Paul said during a news conference. “It was not based on emotions. It was based on the facts of the case.”
Both officers have been on paid administrative leave since the shooting.