Actions

Baton Rouge Police Avoid Federal Charges For Alton Sterling's Death

The U.S. Justice Department reportedly won't bring federal charges against the two police officers who shot and killed Alton Sterling.

By: Grant Suneson

Posted at 8:46 PM, May 02, 2017

and last updated 2017-05-02 20:46:00-04

Two Baton Rouge police officers reportedly won't face charges for the shooting death of Alton Sterling.

Sterling was shot and killed by police while selling CDs outside a convenience store. Officers reportedly got a call saying a person matching Sterling's description threatened someone with a gun.

Police pinned Sterling to the ground, then shot him multiple times. They reported that Sterling had a gun in his pocket.

Sterling's death sparked massive demonstrations against the Baton Rouge Police Department, protesting another black man being shot and killed by police.

Though they won't face civil rights charges from the federal level, the two officers involved aren't off the hook yet. They could still face charges at the state level.