San Diego Union-Tribune

LOUISIANA OFFICER ARRESTED FOR KILLING BLACK MAN

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A White Louisiana police officer was arrested Thursday for fatally shooting an unarmed Black man who was trying to flee police responding to a domestic disturbanc­e call earlier this month, authoritie­s said.

After reviewing evidence and footage from officers’ body-worn cameras, state troopers charged Shreveport police Officer Alexander Tyler, 23, with negligent homicide in the death of Alonzo Bagley, 43.

Louisiana State Police on Thursday released body camera footage of the fatal encounter as well as audio from the 911 recording reporting the initial disturbanc­e.

Officers responded to the disturbanc­e around 10:50 p.m. on Feb. 3 in Shreveport, in northwest Louisiana. In the 911 call, a person who identified herself as Bagley’s wife said her husband was “loaded on something” and threatenin­g her and her daughter.

Tyler and another unidentifi­ed officer arrived at the apartment, where Bagley opened the door holding a glass bottle with brown liquid. Bagley said that he had to put away his dog, walked to the back of the apartment onto a balcony, jumped to the ground outside and ran. The officers then began chasing him.

“Upon rounding a corner of the building, Officer Tyler observed Mr. Bagley and fired one shot from his service weapon, which struck Mr. Bagley in the chest,” Col. Lamar Davis, the superinten­dent of Louisiana State Police, said at a news conference earlier this month.

In the video, Bagley can be heard saying, “Oh, God, you shot me,” as he slumped to the ground.

The officers immediatel­y rendered aid as one of the men — it is unclear who — said, “No. No. Sir. Sir. Hey. Hey. Hey. No. No.”

Family members of Bagley have filed a $10 million lawsuit against Tyler.

“The lethal force used against Mr. Bagley was unjustifie­d, unreasonab­le, excessive, and in violation of Mr. Bagley’s rights under the United States Constituti­on and the laws of the State of Louisiana,” the lawsuit said, which was filed by Bagley’s wife, mother and stepdaught­er.

It was not immediatel­y clear Thursday whether Tyler had hired an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

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