The Minnesota police officer who fatally shot Philando Castile has been charged with second-degree manslaughter, reports the Washington Post. Officer Jeronimo Yanez will also be charged for placing in danger the lives of Diamond Reynolds, Philando Castile’s girlfriend, and Reynolds’ 4-year-old daughter.
On July 6, Castile was in the car with Reynolds and Reynolds’ daughter in Falcon Heights, Minn., when Yanez pulled Castile over and fatally shot him. Reynolds broadcast the moments immediately after the shooting on Facebook Live.
Yanez shot Castile after learning that a gun was in Castile’s possession, however Castile had a permit to carry his gun and, according to John Choi, the attorney of Ramsey County in Minnesota, Castile “never removed or tried to remove” his gun from his pocket.
After the shooting Yanez and his partner Officer Joseph Kauser were placed on standard administrative leave. Kauser will not be charged.
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