Officer ‘scared to death’ before shooting driver

ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota police officer charged in the death of a black motorist testified Friday that he was “scared to death” and fired because the man was pulling out his gun and ignoring commands to stop.

“I was scared to death,” testified Officer Jeronimo Yanez, who is facing a manslaughter charge in the death of Philando Castile. “I thought I was going to die. My family’s faces popped up in my mind, my wife and baby girl.”

The shooting last July drew widespread attention in part because Castile’s girlfriend — who was a passenger in the car along with her young daughter — streamed it on Facebook. Yanez had pulled them over because of a faulty brake light. Castile had a permit for his gun and had volunteered to Yanez, “Sir, I have to tell you, I do have a firearm on me.”

On the squad car video, Castile can be heard saying, “I’m not pulling it out,” as Yanez opens fire. Castile’s last words were, “I wasn’t reaching for it.”

Yanez said he felt he had no choice but to shoot because Castile “had total disregard for my commands.” Closing arguments are expected Monday. have scored victories against the Islamic State group that has claimed responsibility for many of the attacks.

The officials said the Friday morning blast in a market in the village of Musayyib killed 21 and wounded 30. The medical officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.