In July, a Minnesota police officer fatally shot 32-year-old Philando Castile during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights, Minn., and his girlfriend live streamed the tragic aftermath on Facebook. Now, according to CNN, officer Jeronimo Yanez has been charged with second-degree manslaughter and two felony counts of dangerous discharge of a firearm, according to John Choi, the Ramsey County Attorney.
According to the Twin Cities Pioneer Press, Choi said during a press conference Wednesday that Yanez' use of deadly force against Castile on July 6 was not justified. "Unreasonable fear can not justify the use of deadly force," he said.
NPR reports that a review of dash cam footage showed that "no reasonable offer" would've used deadly force in that situation. "Philando Castile was not resisting or fleeing," Choi said. "He had no criminal intent; he was respectful and complaint; he volunteered in good faith that he had a fire arm," and gave the officer even more information than he was legally required to give.
