Minnesota Governor: Philando Castile Would Be Alive If He Was White (UPDATE)

Minnesota Governor says Philando Castile wouldn't have been shot and killed by police if he was white.

Philando Castile wasn't shot and killed by a police officer in Minnesota Wednesday for having a broken taillight. Philando Castile wasn't shot and killed because he was legally exercising his right to carry a gun. Philando Castile was shot because he was a black man living in America, Minnesota's Governor said in a press conference Thursday.

32-year-old Castile was shot by a police officer during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights when Castile reportedly went to reach into his back pocket for his ID as the officer had asked him for it. The aftermath of the shooting was recorded by Castile's girlfriend Diamond Reynolds, who along with her four-year-old daughter, witnessed the shooting.

Castile was killed less than 24 hours after 37-year-old Alton Sterling was killed by police in Baton Rouge.

Gov. Mark Dayton addressed Castile's death Thursday asking: "Would this have happened if the driver and the passengers had been white?" "I don't think so."

"I can't say how shocked I am and deeply, deeply offended that this would happen to somebody in Minnesota," Dayton said. "No one should be shot in Minnesota for a taillight being out of function. No one should be killed in Minnesota while seated in their car."

During the press conference Gov. Dayton said he was seeking a Justice Department investigation into Castile's death saying he spoke to Minnesota's senators and House representatives.

NBC News reported the St. Anthony Police Department, covering the Falcon Heights area, hasn't released details about the events leading up to the shooting or information about the shooting such as how many times Castile was shot. SAPD hasn't identified the officer involved in the shooting but did say he was a five-year veteran who's currently on paid leave reported NBC News.

UPDATE 8:00 p.m. ET: On Thursday night during a protest outside the Governor's residence Gov. Dayton went outside to meet with protesters:

Governor Mark Dayton surprises protestors, comes out to greet them, talk with family #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/WF6kpgpkeP
Wow, governor Dayton comes out to meet sea of protestors #PhilandoCastile pic.twitter.com/xHgBQuLKYX
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