COLUMBIA, SC -- A former state trooper faces a felony charge in the shooting of an unarmed man during a traffic stop in Columbia, South Carolina earlier this month.
The State Law Enforcement Division said in a news release that 31-year-old Sean Groubert was charged Wednesday with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Authorities say Groubert stopped the victim for a seat belt violation on Sept. 4 outside a convenience store. Dash cam video shows the driver get out of his car and the trooper ask to see his license. As the driver turns to grab his wallet from his vehicle, the trooper begins yelling "get out of the car" and opens fire.
"I just got my license, you said get my license," you then hear the driver say as he falls to the ground.
"Bro, you dove head first back into your car," Groubert is later heard saying to the driver.
The driver survived his wounds.
The Department of Public Safety Director Leroy Smith said in a statement that Groubert was not threatened when he fired his gun, and the arrest warrant states the shooting was not justified.
Groubert was given a $75,000 bond. It is not clear if he has his own lawyer.
Good for them for filing charges where it appears they're warranted.
The video that I saw from the dash cam showed the man had stepped out of his vehicle. He raised his hands and the trooper asked for his license. The man then turned around quickly, went back into his vehicle then came out quickly with something in his hand. That's when the trooper fired the first shot. It may have been his wallet or a cell phone. If the man was known to have a violent disposition or had previous arrests related to a firearm, I could see the reason for the officer's reaction. I really don't think the officer is 100% at fault judging by what I saw. Of course, I don't know the whole story, either.
When I do get checked, I always keep my hands in view and when they ask for anything I tell them where its at before reaching for it just to avoid things like this. (ie/ 'my wallet is under my front seat' or ' its in the console or glove box' or 'in my side pocket.' Of course thats after I inform him of my CCP and gun first). State Attorney General told me I dont have to inform them of CCP IF Im not carrying after I pointed out some cops dont like people with one and I prefer not to antagonize them.
The video that I saw from the dash cam showed the man had stepped out of his vehicle. He raised his hands and the trooper asked for his license. The man then turned around quickly, went back into his vehicle then came out quickly with something in his hand. That's when the trooper fired the first shot. It may have been his wallet or a cell phone. If the man was known to have a violent disposition or had previous arrests related to a firearm, I could see the reason for the officer's reaction. I really don't think the officer is 100% at fault judging by what I saw. Of course, I don't know the whole story, either.
That is why we have the courts, let them figure it out and decide if wrong doing happened. If so, he goes to jail, if not, he goes back to work.
When I do get checked, I always keep my hands in view and when they ask for anything I tell them where its at before reaching for it just to avoid things like this. (ie/ 'my wallet is under my front seat' or ' its in the console or glove box' or 'in my side pocket.' Of course thats after I inform him of my CCP and gun first). State Attorney General told me I dont have to inform them of CCP IF Im not carrying after I pointed out some cops dont like people with one and I prefer not to antagonize them.
Same here, tho i normally have my wallet and registration on the dash before they get to the car.. And my hands draped over the steering wheel, at wrist level...
Not every cop is bad, but it only takes one bullet to kill you for making stupid moves..
Same here, tho i normally have my wallet and registration on the dash before they get to the car.. And my hands draped over the steering wheel, at wrist level...
Not every cop is bad, but it only takes one bullet to kill you for making stupid moves..
Me too. I just saw the video and the guy didn't jump back in his truck but he did turn around quickly and grab at something I think was his wallet. I can see both sides but I put myself in the cops shoes. He had no way of knowing what the guy was going for but maybe he should have had him lean against the truck and then asked where his license was. At least he didn't shoot to kill. I never make fast moves when stopped by a cop.
The video that I saw from the dash cam showed the man had stepped out of his vehicle. He raised his hands and the trooper asked for his license. The man then turned around quickly, went back into his vehicle then came out quickly with something in his hand. That's when the trooper fired the first shot. It may have been his wallet or a cell phone. If the man was known to have a violent disposition or had previous arrests related to a firearm, I could see the reason for the officer's reaction. I really don't think the officer is 100% at fault judging by what I saw. Of course, I don't know the whole story, either.
Firstly, the man had no record. No violence, no previous arrests.
Secondly, though he did turn around and come out of his car, there was absolutely no reason to immediately fire, and especially no reason to fire as the man's hands are in the air, per the video.
The officer is 100% at fault, glad to see him actually arrested and charged instead of just put on leave.
Firstly, the man had no record. No violence, no previous arrests.
Secondly, though he did turn around and come out of his car, there was absolutely no reason to immediately fire, and especially no reason to fire as the man's hands are in the air, per the video.
The officer is 100% at fault, glad to see him actually arrested and charged instead of just put on leave.
You see something different than another. Lets let the court decide instead of everyone trying armchair a verdict yet again. If hes guilty, then jail, if not then he goes back to work and gets back pay.
Firstly, the man had no record. No violence, no previous arrests.
Secondly, though he did turn around and come out of his car, there was absolutely no reason to immediately fire, and especially no reason to fire as the man's hands are in the air, per the video.
The officer is 100% at fault, glad to see him actually arrested and charged instead of just put on leave.
At what time was it made known that the man didn't have any record of prior arrests or might be prone to violence? These facts can't be assumed to exist or not exist.
The first shot was fired when the man's hands were just below shoulder height. His hands weren't really in the air. That's the shot that struck him. All the others missed. The report says the man was struck once in the hip.
Not defending either. Not going to go and protest that it's a White on Black Hate Crime, Not going to go and protest that the trooper be fully reinstated with a bonus for his tarnished record. I don't have an across-the-board hate nor love for police officers nor persons of any color or race. Just saying that I think they both share some degree of responsibility for what happened. They both responded incorrectly.
[This message has been edited by fierofool (edited 09-25-2014).]
