D.C.’s police chief is calling for one of his officers to step down after federal prosecutors decided not to charge the officer who shot and killed an unarmed black motorcyclist.
D.C. Police Officer Brian Trainer shot 31-year-old Terrence Sterling in northwest Washington Sept. 11, 2016.
On Wednesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced there was “insufficient evidence” to charge Trainer in Sterling’s death. The announcement quickly led to protests and calls for the officer to resign — including from D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser.
D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said Thursday he has asked Trainer to resign.
Bowser renewed her call for Trainer to step down Thursday, saying the public deserves accountability.
Trainer, a 4 year veteran of the agency was on patrol at approximately 4:30 am, when police say that Sterling drove into his squad car on purpose after a report of a reckless driver. When Trainer exited his car, Sterling reportedly drove into the passenger door on purpose and that is when Trainer fired his weapon.
Sterling had reached speeds of more than 100 mph and run red lights, including one instance in which he sped through a stoplight after looking at the officers, according to the statement by the United States Attorney. An autopsy determined that Sterling’s blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit, and he tested positive for marijuana.
“After a careful, thorough, and independent review of the evidence, federal prosecutors have found insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the officer willfully used unreasonable force and/or was not acting in self-defense when he discharged his service weapon at Mr. Sterling,” according to the statement from the office of U.S. Attorney for the District Channing D. Phillips.
While there is not video footage of the shooting, police did release body camera footage from after the shooting. You can watch that below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOGFsG_aNq8
