Sacramento protest decries police shooting of unarmed Stephon Clark

Police video has shown the officers chasing Clark around the side of his grandparents’ house, yelling “Show me your hands” and “Gun” before firing.

Investigators are looking into whether the officers, who were searching the neighborhood for several minutes for a suspect, announced to Clark that they were police, Matthew said.

A vigil is planned for 7 p.m. Friday night at 29th Street and Florin Road, near where Clark was shot dead.

The incident began just after 9 p.m. Sunday when police received a report of a man breaking vehicle windows. The protest followed the release of police bodycam video, which shows the shooting. The Sacramento Police Department released the body cameras from the incident.

“Show me your hands!” one of the officers yelled.

“Show me your hands!”

“I’m fed up with this”, she said at the protest. “We need to know if you’re OK”, she said, adding they could not help unless they knew he did not have a weapon.

Corrections Officer Ray Sio says it keeps them safe and changes the mindset of the prisoners. “We never said to the media that he had a gun”. The Kings recognize the right to peacefully protest and we respect that, recognize we have a big platform. Sacramento police fired at least 20 shots, but it’s not clear how many hit Clark. Deputies in the helicopter witnessed him shatter the door, police said. After officers were directed to the Thompson’s backyard, Clark, who was standing outside with his girlfriend’s phone, was shot within seconds. Officers then handcuffed Clark and began life-saving efforts, according to police.

“It gives them a sense that his death will mean something”, Simmons said. The officers put on gloves and talk about going to get a rescue mask.

Use of force expert Geoffrey Alpert says the officers may have a tough time explaining why they concluded that 22-year-old Stephon Clark had a gun when they were told he had a toolbar. The video continues without sound for about two minutes as the officers talk.

Since the shooting, both responding officers have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Officers arrived and were aided by a team in a Sacramento Sheriff’s Department helicopter.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg said this week that city officials would examine police protocol for how they identify themselves in such cases.

According to The Bee, police confirmed Monday night that the only item located near Stephan was a cellphone.

It remains unclear what impact the release of the video and audio tapes will have on the public’s view of the shooting. “I think I shot about five times”, one said. “Based on the videos alone, I can not second guess the split-second decisions of our officers and I’m not going to do that”.

Still, for some in Sacramento and across the country, watching the video raised as many questions as it answered. Police released footage from two body cams and helicopter footage in addition to the audio of a 911 call and dispatch.

“This is an unfortunate moment”, Berry Accius, a community activist, told the Bee.

The crowd first went into Sacramento’s City Hall, chanting “Stand up, fight back” and “No justice, no peace”. “We have to get better, not just window dressing, but truly get better”.