President Obama releases statement on police shootings of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile

President Obama has released a statement on the police shootings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, stating that “all Americans should be deeply troubled by the fatal shootings.”
Yesterday in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, Diamond Reynolds went live on Facebook broadcasting that a police officer had just shot her boyfriend, Philando Castile, four times. In the passenger seat Castile can be seen in unbearable pain, his t-shirt soiled with his own blood, while a police officer points a gun at him through the car window. Reynolds goes on to explain that they had been pulled over for busted taillight, and that Castile had told the officer that he was armed and had a concealed carry permit.
“He let the officer know that he had a firearm and he was reaching for his wallet and the officer just shot him in his arm,” Reynolds said as she streamed the Wednesday evening shooting on Facebook.
On Tuesday, July 5, 37-year-old Alton Sterling was gunned down by two police officers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana at a convenience store parking lot. Sterling was selling CDs outside of the store, according to CNN, when two police officers showed up reportedly responding to a 911 call “about a man threatening someone with a gun.” In the now viral video, which was recorded by onsite witnesses, the officers can be seen on top of Sterling—who allegedly had a gun— before shots were fired, including two to Sterling’s chest.
President Obama posted the following message on Facebook today:
“All Americans should be deeply troubled by the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. We’ve seen such tragedies far too many times, and our hearts go out to the families and communities who’ve suffered such a painful loss.
“Although I am constrained in commenting on the particular facts of these cases, I am encouraged that the U.S. Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation in Baton Rouge, and I have full confidence in their professionalism and their ability to conduct a thoughtful, thorough, and fair inquiry.
“But regardless of the outcome of such investigations, what’s clear is that these fatal shootings are not isolated incidents. They are symptomatic of the broader challenges within our criminal justice system, the racial disparities that appear across the system year after year, and the resulting lack of trust that exists between law enforcement and too many of the communities they serve.
“To admit we’ve got a serious problem in no way contradicts our respect and appreciation for the vast majority of police officers who put their lives on the line to protect us every single day. It is to say that, as a nation, we can and must do better to institute the best practices that reduce the appearance or reality of racial bias in law enforcement.
“That’s why, two years ago, I set up a Task Force on 21st Century Policing that convened police officers, community leaders, and activists. Together, they came up with detailed recommendations on how to improve community policing. So even as officials continue to look into this week’s tragic shootings, we also need communities to address the underlying fissures that lead to these incidents, and to implement those ideas that can make a difference. That’s how we’ll keep our communities safe. And that’s how we can start restoring confidence that all people in this great nation are equal before the law.
“In the meantime, all Americans should recognize the anger, frustration, and grief that so many Americans are feeling — feelings that are being expressed in peaceful protests and vigils. Michelle and I share those feelings. Rather than fall into a predictable pattern of division and political posturing, let’s reflect on what we can do better. Let’s come together as a nation, and keep faith with one another, in order to ensure a future where all of our children know that their lives matter.”

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