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Another white cop shoots unarmed black man -- this time for following orders (Video)
On Wednesday, South Carolina state trooper Sean Groubert, 31, was arrested and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature after his dashboard camera surfaced and showed the unnecessary, unwarranted, and presumably illegal attack.
The video clearly shows Groubert firing at Levar Jones, a black motorist, at point-blank range as Jones reached into his vehicle to retrieve his driver's license – at Groubert's request.
After the shooting stops, Groubert is heard telling Jones that he “stopped” him because of a seat belt violation.
The dirty details:
Jones pulls his white SUV into a Shell gas station/convenience store. His vehicle was completely stopped. He removed his seat belt and exited the vehicle.
Groubert pulls up on him and asks, “Can I see your license please?”
Jones then turns back toward the still open door to get his license from the vehicle.
Groubert in a panic and rage immediately begins screaming, “Get out of the car! Get out of the car!” and begins shooting at the unarmed Jones. Jones had just left his job. He turns and faces this policeman, throws his hands high into the air with his right hand holding onto his wallet.
But the officer continues to fire upon him even while his hands are up.
Amazingly – and thankfully – of the total of four shots only one hit Jones in the hip, and his injury is not life-threatening.
Commentary
A recent study has shown that a black man is killed by white police officers, “security” agents, or white vigilante types every 28 hours.
For those many, many white people – “conservative,” liberal, libertarian, or of any other political persuasion – who insist that “Driving While Black” (DWB) springs from black folks' mass paranoia, or a trigger-happy penchant to play the so-called “race card,” this story with its undeniable video should convince even the most ardent white supremacists that DWB is a real and present danger each and every time a black person turns the ignition in his or her vehicle.
This time, however, because of (and only because of) the video evidence, it appears that at least a modicum of “justice” may will out. This cop is actually facing criminal charges for his actions and, indeed, has already been fired.
According to The State, former officer Groubert could get 20 years in prison upon conviction.
Look carefully at this footage. Listen carefully as well. Jones repeatedly asks this cop why he shot him. Finally, Groubert says he stopped him for not wearing his seat belt.
The video shows that Groubert actually passed Jones, backed up, and then approached him.
After being shot, the cop orders Jones to the ground, hands behind his back. Jones is still trying to figure out why this is happening. “Why did you shoot me?” he asks. “Sir, I was just doing what you asked....getting my license.”
The cop finally says he shot Jones because he reached head first into his car after what he just knew was a gun. He is heard saying as much just before he fires at Jones who has his back turned to the officer.
Jones, befuddled and injured, says, “I'm sorry.”
The cop never once apologizes for shooting him.
Every 28 hours.
This shocking (and graphic) video may be seen here.
References
http://www.brothersonsports.com/shocking-video-of-south-carolina-cop-shooting-black-man-for-following-instructions/#prettyPhoto
http://abcnews.go.com/US/dashcam-captures-south-carolina-trooper-shooting-unarmed-man/story?id=25749239
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/09/25/sc-trooper-faces-felony-assault-charge-after-shooting-unarmed-man-during/
http://www.wltx.com/story/news/local/2014/09/24/video-released-released-of-trooper-involved-shooting/16187305/
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/09/24/ex-trooper-who-shot-unarmed-man-faces-charges/16178961/
http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/1-black-man-killed-every-28-hours-police-or-vigilantes-america-perpetually-war-its
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