Autopsy in fatal police shooting says man shot mostly in back
Lawyer: Findings in Clark case refute official narrative
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Unarmed Stephon Clark was shot eight times March 18 – mostly in the back – by two Sacramento police officers in his grandmother’s backyard, according to an independent autopsy released Friday amid growing tensions in the city and across the nation.
Clark’s death has reignited the familiar anger and calls for justice after similar shootings by police of unarmed black men in the United States.
Dr. Bennet Omalu, who conducted the autopsy, said Clark was clearly shot from behind. Six of the bullets hit the back of his body. He said the two others hit him in the side and thigh.
“This independent autopsy affirms that Stephon was not a threat to police and was slain in another senseless police killing under increasingly questionable circumstances,” said Benjamin Crump, a civil rights attorney hired by Clark’s family.
Flanked by two large posters with red markings showing where bullets entered Clark’s body, Omalu described in detail how Clark died.
“The entire interaction, he had his back to the officers,” said Omalu.
The first bullet hit him in the side with his back “slightly facing the officers,” Omalu said, which caused his body to turn. His back was facing officers when a barrage of six bullets hit him. One hit his neck, the others hit his back and shoulder.
The last gunshot hit his thigh, Omalu said, explaining Clark was either shot while on the ground or as he was falling.
Clark didn’t immediately die from his wounds, he said, even though just one of the wounds could have been fatal on its own.
Authorities have said several minutes passed before Clark was treated because of fears he was armed.
“Whether you’re fatally wounded or not, you should receive immediate and timely medical and surgical intervention,” Omalu said. Clark’s death took up to 10 minutes.
The private autopsy results were released one day after Clark’s funeral. His family hired Crump, who has also represented the families of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice and Michael Brown.
Crump said the results contradict the narrative from Sacramento police and show Clark wasn’t a threat.
“Well, it’s very simple. The narrative that had been put forth is that they had to open fire because he was charging at them. Well, obviously based on Dr. Omalu’s findings in the family’s autopsy, it suggests all the bullets were from behind.”
He added this was only the beginning of their work in getting answers for the family.
“The truth is a crucial step in getting justice,” Crump said.
Officers, who incorrectly thought Clark was holding a gun, fired 20 rounds at him, the department said after the shooting.
Clark was found only with a cellphone.
The Sacramento Police Department said in a statement that it would be inappropriate to comment before the release of the official autopsy by the Sacramento County Coroner.
On Friday, Clark’s funeral drew hundreds and spurred protests in the city.