ibtimes | Footage has emerged of the "disturbing" moment a US patrol officer
shot an unarmed man after requesting to see his driving license during a
routine check.
South Carolina State Trooper Sean Groubert has been charged with
assault and battery after shooting Levar Edward Jones at a petrol
station in Columbia on 4 September, 2014.
Police released footage of the incident taken from the dashboard camera of Groubert's patrol car following his arrest.
The video shows Groubert pulling Jones over for allegedly not wearing
his seatbelt while driving. After asking Jones to get out of the car,
Groubert told Jones to hand over his license.
As Jones turns to retrieve his license, Groubert shouts "get out the car" before firing four times.
Jones can be heard apologising to the officer before asking "Why was I
shot? All I did was reach for my license. I'm coming from work."
Jones was hit once in the hip and taken to hospital, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
Following the incident, Groubert was arrested and charged with
assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, a felony offence
which carries a penalty of up to 20 years in prison. He has also been
fired as a South Carolina state trooper.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division said Groubert shot at Jones
unlawfully. A spokesperson added: "Audio and visual recordings, as well
as written statements obtained, are further evidence to indicate the
shooting incident was without justification."
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