New details emerge about Philando Castile's killing

By Star Tribune

November 16, 2016 at 10:43PM
Philando Castile was fatally shot by police July 6 during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights.
Philando Castile was fatally shot by police July 6 during a traffic stop in Falcon Heights. (Star Tribune/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

The statement Wednesday by Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and the criminal complaint against St. Anthony police officer Jeronimo Yanez included new details about the killing of Philando Castile:

- Castile complied with police instructions and did not resist.

- Choi said evidence shows Castile did not try to remove his gun from his pocket. Castile's last words after being shot were, "I wasn't reaching for it."

- Yanez shot Castile seven times in rapid succession.

- After the shooting, officers and paramedics removed a .40-caliber semiautomatic handgun from Castile's front pocket, which was about a foot deep. The gun was loaded but did not have a round in the firing chamber.

- A holster and wallet also were later found in Castile's shorts. The wallet included Castile's permit to carry a handgun and his driver's license.

- Yanez's statement to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was inconsistent with his statement to police immediately after the shooting.

- Officer Joseph Kauser did not draw his weapon, and when asked later whether he was surprised when Yanez began shooting, said, "Absolutely."

- The widely watched Facebook livestream posted by Castile's girlfriend, Diamond Reynolds, began about 40 seconds after the shooting.

about the writer

Star Tribune