An attorney for the Minnesota police officer who shot and killed a black man during a traffic stop said the officer was reacting to the presence of a gun, not the man’s race.
Minneapolis attorney Thomas Kelly told the Associated Press that Officer Jeronimo Yanez was reacting to “the presence of that gun and the display of that gun” when he opened fire on Philando Castile.
Castile’s girlfriend filmed the aftermath of the shooting as Castile lay dying, sparking national outrage about the incident. She said Castile was licensed to carry the firearm.
Kelly says his client is distraught over the incident.
