Officer charged in shooting death of Black man in a Walmart

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press


Updated 5:48 pm CDT, Wednesday, September 2, 2020



Photo: Courtesy Of Family
IMAGE 1 OF 3
Steven Taylor, 33, was fatally shot by police at a San Leandro Walmart on April 18, 2020. Video of the incident has sparked a debate about the officers' use of deadly force.


SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A San Francisco Bay Area police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a Black man inside a Walmart store in April.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley announced Wednesday that her office has filed the charge against San Leandro Police Officer Jason Fletcher in the killing of Steven Taylor on April 18.

Fletcher had responded to a call about an alleged shoplifter inside the store who was holding a baseball bat.

A 20-year veteran, Fletcher did not wait for backup and instead grabbed the bat from Taylor, shot him with a taser and then with a firearm all in less than 40 seconds, prosecutors said.


Read more: https://www.mrt.com/news/article/Officer-charged-in-shooting-death-of-Black-man-in-15538653.php

[SharonClark]

1. It took 4 1/2 months to charge him?

I hope his family sues the officer, Walmart, and the city.

[Maraya1969]

2. A good thing is since these cops are finally being charged lawsuits may present a hardship

for these police departments and maybe they might change procedure.

In order for them to want to change procedure they have to hurt. Jail the murderers and charge the departments.

[SamKnause]

3. This is an extremely confusing story with very little details.

The security officer said it was not a robbery and told this to the police when asked.

This was relayed to the police dispatch.

Was Steven threatening someone with the bat ???

Is is against the law to hold a bat in Walmart where bats are sold ???

WTF ???

Details would be helpful.

Another fucking murder for no reason.

[mountain grammy]

4. Reminds me of the murder of James Crawford

No one charged in that one.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/02/12/killing-john-crawford-walmart-officer-wouldnt-have-changed-thing/2787871002/

[Nitram]

5. Law enforcement out of control!

[Judi Lynn]

6. Officer charged with manslaughter in fatal shooting of man wielding baseball bat in Walmart

BY JORDAN FREIMAN
SEPTEMBER 2, 2020 / 8:25 PM / CBS NEWS

- short video at link -

A police officer in San Leandro, California, has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the fatal shooting of a Black man wielding a baseball bat inside a Walmart, Alameda County District Attorney Nancy E. O'Malley announced Wednesday. Officer Jason Fletcher shot and killed 33-year-old Steven Demarco Taylor on April 18.

"A thorough review of the statements of witnesses and involved police officers, physical evidence and the review of multiple videos of the shooting shows that at the time of the shooting it was not reasonable to conclude Mr. Taylor posed an imminent threat of death or great bodily injury to Officer Fletcher or to anyone else in the store," O'Malley said in a recorded statement. "I believe Officer Fletcher's actions, coupled with his failure to attempt other de-escalation options rendered his use of deadly force unreasonable and a violation of Penal Code Section 192(a), Voluntary Manslaughter."

Officers were called to the Walmart located on the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay Area when Taylor allegedly tried to leave the store without paying, CBS San Francisco previously reported. Bodycam footage shows police telling Taylor multiple times to drop the baseball bat he was holding, but Taylor continues holding the bat. Officers then use Tasers on Taylor twice, but he continued to advance toward the officers. Fletcher then shoots Taylor once in the chest, causing him to drop the bat. Another officer used a third Taser on Taylor after he was shot.

"I know the loss of Steven Taylor has deeply affected this community," San Leandro Police Chief Jeff Tudor said in a statement Wednesday. "Today, the District Attorney has charged Officer Jason Fletcher with voluntary manslaughter. It is important that we allow the judicial process to take its course."

More:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/officer-charged-manslaughter-fatal-shooting-man-with-baseball-bat-san-leandro-walmart-2020-09-02/

[Judi Lynn]

7. Officer charged in fatal shooting of man at San Leandro Walmart, police say

Updated 2 hours ago

SAN LEANDRO, Calif. (KGO) -- A San Leandro police officer has been charged with voluntary manslaughter in the shooting death of a Black man inside a Walmart store in April.

Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O'Malley announced Wednesday that her office has filed the charge against San Leandro Police Officer Jason Fletcher in the killing of Steven Taylor on April 18.

Taylor was shot and killed by San Leandro Police Officer Jason Fletcher on April 18. Body-cam footage released by the department shows Taylor holding a bat, inside of a local Walmart.

. . .

"A thorough review of the statements of witnesses and involved police officers, physical evidence and the review of multiple videos of the shooting shows that at the time of the shooting it was not reasonable to conclude Mr. Taylor posed an imminent threat of death or great bodily injury to Officer Fletcher or to anyone else in the store," O'Malley said. "I believe Officer Fletcher's actions, coupled with his failure to attempt other de-escalation options rendered his use of deadly force unreasonable and a violation of Penal Code Section 192(a), Voluntary Manslaughter.'

https://abc7news.com/officer-charged-in-fatal-san-leandro-walmart-shooting-police-say/6402363/