Police in Baton Rouge fatally shot Alton Sterling, a black man, outside a convenience store where he was selling CDs. Police were responding to an anonymous 911 call from someone claiming a man selling CDs outside threatened him with a gun. Cell phone footage appears to have captured the encounter. The footage is very disturbing to say the least. There is also surveillance video from the store that the police have in their possession that has yet to be released. The officers had body cams but claim they fell off during the scuffle with Sterling. There should also be police dash cam video that also has not been released. Sterling was armed, which in LA (an open carry state) is legal, however Sterling was on probation and should not have been in possession of a firearm. Stories are that the gun was in his pocket not in his hand. Witnesses said the police removed the gun from Sterling's pocket after he was fatally shot. 

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has taken over the investigation with support from Baton Rouge Police and State Police. There have been many protests in the community but they have been peaceful up to this point.

I just watched a press conference with Sterling's 15 yo son Cameron and his mom along with community organizers. Sterling's son broke down and cried uncontrollably. His mom spoke very eloquently but clearly had a hard time staying in control. It was so heart wrenching to watch! The devastation and pain felt by young Cameron Sterling was overwhelming to watch and I cried along with him.

Not going to pass judgement until the investigation is completed but the cell phone video, by itself, is highly destructive and damaging for the two police officers. The community, and the rest of us, are very disturbed and need more information as to what happened.

Many of you know that my SO is a police officer and he too is very disturbed by this incident. Praying for Sterling's family. 

Thoughts?