Two white police officers will not face any charges in the killing of Alton Sterling outside a Baton Rouge, La. gas station.
On Tuesday (May 2) night, the Washington Post and The New York Times reported that multiple sources told them US Justice Department might close its investigation without seeking charges against the officers. It has been reported the Justice Department will reveal the ruling within the next 24 hours.
INBOX: @MayorBroome statement on #AltonSterling decision from DOJ being reported by national media #BatonRouge pic.twitter.com/98cGhRh8Fz
— Andrea Gallo (@aegallo) May 2, 2017
WATCH: 1st interview with #AltonSterling aunt, Sandra, following @washingtonpost story that @BRPD officers won’t be federally charged @WBRZ pic.twitter.com/JnfWGP30kq
— Brett Buffington (@BrettBuffington) May 2, 2017
On July 5, 2016, 37-year-old Sterling was shot several times at close range while held down on the ground by two white Baton Rouge Police Department officers. Police were responding to a report that a man in a red shirt was selling CDs, and that he had used a gun to threaten someone outside a convenience store. The shooting was recorded by multiple bystanders and led to protests in Baton Rouge and a request for a civil rights investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.