Justice Dept. said to be close to ending probe in La. shooting

WASHINGTON — The Justice Department has decided not to bring charges against the officers involved in the death of Alton Sterling, whose videotaped shooting by police in Baton Rouge, La., last summer prompted unrest across the city, and is planning to reveal in the next 24 hours that it has closed the probe, four people familiar with the matter told The Washington Post.

The Sterling family said it had yet to be informed by the Justice Department of the decision.

“We have not heard nor received an update and are unaware of any charges that may or may not be filed,” said Ryan Julison, a spokesman for the Sterling family’s attorneys.

The case will be the first time under Attorney General Jeff Sessions that the department has publicly declined to prosecute officers investigated for possible wrongdoing in a highprofile case, and officials in Baton Rouge have been bracing for possible reaction there.

By the police account, officers Blane Salamoni and Howie Lake saw Sterling, 37, outside a convenience store in July after it was reported a man had threatened someone there with a gun. Sterling was selling CDs outside the store and fit the description of that man.

A video of the shooting shows Sterling lying on his back with two officers on top of him. One of the officers appears to yell, “He’s got a gun!,” and then shots ring out.

A detective wrote in the search warrant affidavit that officers had observed the butt of a gun in Sterling’s front pants pocket. At issue was whether Sterling was reaching for the weapon, as officers claimed.