Blane Salamoni, Howie Lake identified as police officers involved in shooting death of Alton Sterling
Baton Rouge police officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake II have now been identified as the two officers involved in Tuesday’s shooting of Alton Sterling, the city’s police chief said Wednesday. The pair were placed on administrative leave Tuesday morning, police said as the investigation continues and a video landed on the Internet.
Even though the cameras were “dislodged,” police did confirm that the body camera’s did capture footage of Sterline’s death. Baton Rouge Police Lt. Johnny Dunham spoke to the press Wednesday, saying “That footage may not be as good as we hoped for. During the altercation, the body cameras did become dislodged, but they did stay on and active and recording at this time…”
Video footage appeared to show two white police officers holding down and fatally shooting Sterling.
Alton Sterling photo/ Facebook
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards said the US attorney’s office, the FBI and state police will also be involved.
“The video is disturbing to say the least,” he said.
Baton Rouge Police Chief Carl Dabadie Jr said Sterling was armed at the time of the confrontation, but questions still remain about the circumstances surrounding his death.
“Like you, there is a lot that we do not understand. And at this point, like you, I am demanding answers,” the chief said.
The shooting on Tuesday sparked protests from about 200 people who gathered at the scene where Sterling was shot, blocking roads and chanting: “Black lives matter”.
“We ask for your voluntary compliance to our laws and peaceful assembly with any gatherings that may be planned,” Dabadie said. “We encourage you to plan and protest … we don’t have any problems with that. We just ask you to do it peacefully, and that no one gets hurt.”
Dabadie said his department has turned over the investigation to the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the FBI.
“It is our goal and our mission to make sure that a thorough, just, transparent and independent investigation be conducted into this incident,” Dabadie said.
In response to calls for his resignation, Dabadie said he doesn’t plan on it.
“I don’t plan on resigning. We have done a lot of good in this community. We have worked very hard in this community. Do we have an issue right now? Yes. But we are working right now to bring the truth out,” Dabadie said.
[…] The Louisiana shooting which left three police officers dead and others injured, has the country struggling to reconcile recent crimes with allegations of racism. The murderer has been identified as a former Marine, Gavin Eugene Long, a former member of the Nation of Islam who railed against “crackers” on his YouTube channel, speaking out about the Alton Sterling case. […]