International Courant
The household of a Black man killed after he was struck by an unmarked police automobile in Michigan spoke out Saturday after physique digital camera footage of the incident was launched by investigators.
The Michigan State Police stated it has turned over its investigative report and all proof to the legal professional common’s workplace associated to the April 17 demise of Samuel Sterling, who was pursued by officers in Kentwood on excellent warrants.
Sterling, 25, allegedly fled when officers approached him at a gasoline station and was struck by an unmarked Michigan State Police automobile after officers approached him in a car parking zone of a close-by Burger King, police allege. He died in hospital later that day.
Samuel Sterling is seen on this picture launched by the Sterling household.
Sterling household
Physique digital camera footage launched Friday exhibits officers dashing to Sterling on the bottom after he was hit, groaning in ache and claiming he did not have a gun. The unmarked police automobile is parked on a curb subsequent to the restaurant in entrance of Sterling.
Legal professional Ven Johnson, an legal professional representing Sterling’s household, stated in a press release to ABC Information that they have been “surprised and shocked to see the MSP trooper intentionally drive over a curb – onto a sidewalk – and drive Samuel from took his life by beating him with an unmarked weapon. police automobile.”
“Nobody ought to be capable to appoint themselves decide, jury and executioner, but deaths from police brutality and extreme drive stay too widespread,” Johnson added.
Officers are seen handcuffing Sterling and telling firefighters who arrived on the scene to maintain {the handcuffs} on.
The footage launched Friday got here from three businesses that have been a part of the fugitive activity drive – Michigan State Police, Grand Rapids Police Division and Wyoming Police Division – and included footage from 4 sources, physique digital camera footage from three officers and one sprint digital camera from a police automobile, Michigan State Police stated.
“I guarantee the Sterling and Cage households and the communities we serve that we’ll stay clear on this investigation and cooperate totally with the Michigan Division of Justice as they start their investigation,” stated MSP Director Col. James F. Grady II. , who met with the household on Friday, stated in a press release.
Samuel Sterling is seen on this picture launched by the Sterling household.
Sterling household
The state police trooper driving the automobile that struck Sterling was not sporting a physique digital camera and his automobile didn’t have a dashboard digital camera “on account of his task on a federal activity drive,” Michigan State Police stated in a press release.
State police launched an investigation into the incident and suspended the trooper — whose id has not been revealed because of the investigation — with out pay.
Marc E. Curtis, the legal professional representing the trooper, instructed ABC Information in a press release that his shopper is cooperating with the investigation.
“We want to let the household and group know that we all know you’re grieving the demise of Mr. Sterling. The Trooper concerned is heartbroken by the lack of Mr. Sterling’s life and desires the household to know that he didn’t deliberately intend to hurt Mr. Sterling,” Curtis stated in a press release.
Michigan Legal professional Common Dana Nessel will evaluation the police report and proof and determine whether or not any prices are warranted.
“My Public Integrity Unit has investigated dozens of police incidents and is dedicated to offering a radical and honest evaluation and backbone of every incident,” Nessel stated in a press release final month.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer stated in a press release Friday that Sterling’s demise was “unacceptable” and known as for the officer to be fired if prices are filed.
“I’ve each confidence that her workplace will work rapidly to achieve a good and simply choice on whether or not prison prices are applicable,” the governor stated of Nessel.
Sabina Ghebremedhin of ABC Information contributed to this report.
