ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A suburban Minnesota police officer who killed a black driver reacted to the man's gun, not his race, his attorney said Saturday, giving the most detailed account so far of why the officer drew his own weapon.
Philando Castile's girlfriend, who streamed the immediate aftermath of the shooting live on Facebook, has said he was shot several times after telling the officer he had a gun and a permit to carry it.
St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez was reacting to "the presence of that gun and the display of that gun" when he opened fire on Castile, Minneapolis attorney Thomas Kelly told The Associated Press. He declined to elaborate on how Castile displayed the weapon or what led up to the deadly Wednesday traffic stop.
Reynolds said Castile was shot while reaching for his wallet.
Yanez "was reacting to the actions of the driver," Kelly said. "This had nothing to do with race. This had everything to do with the presence of a gun."
Yanez, who is Latino, is distraught and saddened over the shooting in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights, Kelly said.
Falcon Heights, a mostly white community of 5,000, is served primarily by the nearby St. Anthony Police Department.
Authorities say that during the traffic stop, Yanez approached Castile's car from the driver's side and another officer, Joseph Kauser, approached from the passenger side. Yanez opened fire, striking Castile multiple times.
Yanez and Kauser, both four-year veterans, were put on administrative leave, as is standard, authorities said.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said several videos, including squad car video, have been collected, though St. Anthony officers don't wear body cameras.
Philando Castile's girlfriend, who streamed the immediate aftermath of the shooting live on Facebook, has said he was shot several times after telling the officer he had a gun and a permit to carry it.
St. Anthony Police Officer Jeronimo Yanez was reacting to "the presence of that gun and the display of that gun" when he opened fire on Castile, Minneapolis attorney Thomas Kelly told The Associated Press. He declined to elaborate on how Castile displayed the weapon or what led up to the deadly Wednesday traffic stop.
Reynolds said Castile was shot while reaching for his wallet.
Yanez "was reacting to the actions of the driver," Kelly said. "This had nothing to do with race. This had everything to do with the presence of a gun."
Yanez, who is Latino, is distraught and saddened over the shooting in the St. Paul suburb of Falcon Heights, Kelly said.
Falcon Heights, a mostly white community of 5,000, is served primarily by the nearby St. Anthony Police Department.
Authorities say that during the traffic stop, Yanez approached Castile's car from the driver's side and another officer, Joseph Kauser, approached from the passenger side. Yanez opened fire, striking Castile multiple times.
Yanez and Kauser, both four-year veterans, were put on administrative leave, as is standard, authorities said.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said several videos, including squad car video, have been collected, though St. Anthony officers don't wear body cameras.
