Dashcam Footage Shows Philando Castile Warned Officer About His Gun

After the acquittal of Officer Jeronimo Yanez, Philando Castile‘s murderer, black Americans are struggling to find the answers to this simple question: how can we survive a confrontation with police? With the new release of the dashcam video of Castile’s murder today (Jun 20), the answer seems even more unclear.

When Trayvon Martin was gunned down by George Zimmerman, many said he should not have worn a hoodie and fought Zimmerman back. When Mike Brown was gunned down in Ferguson, he was called a thug because he was caught on camera stealing from a convenience store, just before being killed.  Eric Garner should not be selling cigarettes illegally. But with Castile, he did all the right things, except being of another ethnicity.

He was no criminal, had good heart, was an outstanding member of the community, and was licensed gun owner. He was even honest with the officer about having a weapon in the car, even though he did not have to be. He thought being honest would save his life but instead, it ended it.

Castile is heard warning the officer that he had a weapon. At that time, it is clear that Officer Yanez became nervous. He then begins to scream for Castile to get his hands off of the weapon. But without hesitation, he fires multiple shots into the car with Castile, his girlfriend Diamond, and her four-year-old daughter inside. Did he react irrationally at the overwhelming fear of being killed?

During an interview with the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, he admits that because he smelled “burned marijuana” in the car, he felt as if Castile didn’t have any regard for his life, just as he had no regard for the little girl’s life and lungs because he exposed her to second-hand smoke. But not only did Officer Yanez have no regard for Castile’s life but he also had no regard for neither the woman’s or child’s life when he open fired into a closed space. That young child will forever be scarred with the memories of Castile’s death.

Yanez was found not guilty of second-degree manslaughter and two counts of reckless discharge of his weapon. And unfortunately, honesty gets you killed, just like wearing a hoodie, and selling cigarettes illegally…at least while you are black.

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