# Philando Castile shooting dash cam video **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 21, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504 "2017-06-21T03:15:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/1 "2017-06-21T03:15:14Z")
I assume it got released now that the trial is concluded. [This article has a copy of the video (Warning: NSFW)](http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/06/20/philando-castile-shooting-police-car-dashcam-footage-released.html) Cop was WAY less calm and collected about things than the girlfriend. She was almost weirdly too calm, and he was losing it. ETA: I’d be curious to find out things like where they found Philando’s gun: was it still holstered or out of the holster, and what testimony did the second officer give. Also, this is why I don’t notify cops when I’m carrying (if you live in a different state, the law may require you to). ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/2 "2017-06-21T13:40:37Z")
I’m also curious as to what Castile could/should have done differently from the perspective of the officer. He was clearly not in an aggressive or threatening mode, and his informing the cop that he had a gun also indicated non-hostile intent. What would the cop have had him do? The cop had asked him for his license and registration, so he had to reach for something - if the cop was just going to assume that anything he reached for was his gun, then he was effectively ordering him to be killed. Leaving aside the legal aspects of murder/manslaughter and whether he met those conditions, I think it’s almost certain that the cop messed up, and has no business being a cop. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/3 "2017-06-21T14:06:41Z")
It looks and smells to me of panic. Which suggests to me that officer may well have been undertrained and insecure. An officer whom is confident and sure of his capabilities and support is generally steady and controlled - There are multiple body and dash camera videos that can demonstrate that. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/4 "2017-06-21T14:16:53Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > Also, this is why I don’t notify cops when I’m carrying (if you live in a different state, the law may require you to). Assuming you are carrying legally, I think it’s probably a good idea to let him know, even if you aren’t required to. If you don’t tell him, and he spots it later during the encounter, he’s gonna get real excited real fast. I watch the TV show Cops now and then, and I’m frequently amazed at how cavalier people can be when they are interacting with a person who is well-armed and has been instilled with the expectation that people he meets may try to hurt him on a moment’s notice. People will put their hands in their pockets, gesticulate wildly in close proximity to the cop as they tell their story, wander around, and do all sorts of other things that can make the cop edgy. AIUI Yanez never saw Castile pull a weapon, so Yanez should not have shot him - but Castile, having the most to lose, was unwise to be reaching anywhere without getting permission from the cop first (that’s my policy whenever I get stopped by the police). From a societal level, we can reduce stupid police-involved shootings like this by teaching cops to be less trigger-happy. If you or I as individuals want to reduce our odds of being the victim of a police-involved shooting, we need to think about the cop’s perspective on the encounter and the kinds of behaviors/actions that he might find threatening. Unexpectedly reaching for your wallet when you’re with a friend you’ve known for years? No big deal. Unexpectedly reaching for your wallet when you’re with a cop you’ve known for all of ten seconds? One who might not have graduated at the top of his class, thinks you could be angry about being stopped, or have warrants, and could be armed and have nothing to lose? Very risky. You shouldn’t get shot for it, but you might, and there’s no undo button so think carefully about what you do and how you act when you’re with a cop. This advice is applicable regardless of your race or socioeconomic status. > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > I’m also curious as to what Castile could/should have done differently from the perspective of the officer. I’ve heard from people with CCW licenses who were carrying during a police encounter, and were required to inform the cop that they were carrying. Some cops just say “thanks for letting me know;” others will have you step out, put your hands somewhere safe, and then they will take your weapon and hold it for the duration of the encounter, typically handing it back to you at the end with the magazine (and chambered round, if any) removed. > [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > The cop had asked him for his license and registration, so he had to reach for something… Gun or not, it’s good policy to always ask for permission before you put your hands somewhere the officer can’t see (e.g. your back pocket or your glovebox). No gun on you? Keep your hands on the wheel and repeat after me: “My license is in my back pocket, do you mind if I reach for it?” Wait until he gives you the OK before you reach Got a gun? Keep your hands on the wheel and repeat after me: “Officer, my license is in my back pocket, but I want to let you know I’m also carrying a gun in my waistband/holster/center console. How would you like to proceed?” Follow the officers directions carefully after that; move slowly and deliberately, listening carefully for any new directions, and thinking about (and avoiding) the sorts of actions he might find threatening. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/5 "2017-06-21T14:18:25Z")
Jesus Fucking Christ on a pogo stick. That cop was and is a fucking waste of space. I am so tired of police overreacting in situations like this and killing us. I simply cannot believe the calm with the woman in the car making her own 911 call. Or how calmly she responds to the officer after he realizes how she’s busting him for being a murdering quick draw McGraw when she says “Sir, please don’t kill me”. Fuck that guy, he needs to go to prison. It’s interesting how when the other officers show up, there’s immediate solidarity with the murdering bastard, but I get it…I was in the military, the SWAT or whomever showing up after the shooting only have the murdering bastard’s words to go on. Fucking murdering bastard. FUCK! TOTALLY UNNECESSARY! That guy didn’t have to die! For fuck’s sake, how do we put up with this? People shouldn’t have to die for outstanding warrants, traffic violations, etc. It reminds me of this: [- YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fCqYs8P1QI) …originally the KY state police refused to investigate. Instead, the state ended up paying 3.5 million to the family in a settlement. They are murdering us! ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/6 "2017-06-21T14:20:30Z")
And Colin Kaepernick still doesn’t have a job, even as a backup QB. A QB that took his team to the Super Bowl…it’s all bullshit. “Oh noes, he kneeled during the anthem, what will we tell the children?” Tell them the fucking truth…we live in a police state and it’s only getting worse. SMH. ---
**Author:** ![Fotheringay-Phipps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/d9b06d/32.png) [@Fotheringay-Phipps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fotheringay-Phipps)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/7 "2017-06-21T14:21:10Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Gun or not, it’s good policy to always ask for permission before you put your hands somewhere the officer can’t see (e.g. your back pocket or your glovebox). > > No gun on you? Keep your hands on the wheel and repeat after me: “My license is in my back pocket, do you mind if I reach for it?” Wait until he gives you the OK before you reach > > Got a gun? Keep your hands on the wheel and repeat after me: “Officer, my license is in my back pocket, but I want to let you know I’m also carrying a gun in my waistband/holster/center console. How would you like to proceed?” Follow the officers directions carefully after that; move slowly and deliberately, listening carefully for any new directions, and thinking about (and avoiding) the sorts of actions he might find threatening. But the cop asked for his license and registration, and didn’t rescind that request when he found out that he had a gun. The onus is on the cop to tell on “in that case don’t pull out your license and registration, but rather do X, Y, & Z”, rather than expecting the guy to figure out that he’s supposed to do something different. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/8 "2017-06-21T14:25:57Z")
It was straight up state-sanctioned murder is what it was. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/9 "2017-06-21T14:38:29Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Assuming you are carrying legally, I think it’s probably a good idea to let him know, even if you aren’t required to. If you don’t tell him, and he spots it later during the encounter, he’s gonna get real excited real fast. I think this is a good suggestion for your average CFP holder. In my case, I’ve thought through the implications of my decision fairly carefully, and am comfortable with it. If the chances of the officer discovering my firearm rise considerably above the typical traffic stop, I intend to notify. I’d also encourage any CCWers (if which I imagine there are relatively few here), to avoid using the word “gun” or even “firearm” when notifying cops. Say something like “I have a license to carry, and am carrying. It is located \_\_\_\_\_”. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/10 "2017-06-21T14:44:56Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I think this is a good suggestion for your average CFP holder. In my case, I’ve thought through the implications of my decision fairly carefully, and am comfortable with it. If the chances of the officer discovering my firearm rise considerably above the typical traffic stop, I intend to notify. > > I’d also encourage any CCWers (if which I imagine there are relatively few here), to avoid using the word “gun” or even “firearm” when notifying cops. Say something like “I have a license to carry, and am carrying. It is located \_\_\_\_\_”. It shouldn’t fucking matter what weasely words you feel you need to use to tell an officer that you’re in possession of a firearm! They should respond accordingly, not fucking shoot you to death! ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/11 "2017-06-21T14:48:20Z")
> [@Fotheringay-Phipps](#): > > But the cop asked for his license and registration, and didn’t rescind that request when he found out that he had a gun. The onus is on the cop to tell on “in that case don’t pull out your license and registration, but rather do X, Y, & Z”, rather than expecting the guy to figure out that he’s supposed to do something different. It’s not my intent to defend Yanez: he absolutely screwed up, he should not have shot Castile, and I am surprised he was found not guilty of manslaughter. But can you see that Castile’s words and actions might be enough to put a reasonable person on guard? From [this Star-Tribune article:](http://www.startribune.com/case-file-in-philando-castile-shooting-to-be-made-public-today/429659263/) > [@Star-Tribune](#): > > Yanez said Castile wouldn’t look him in the eye and was mumbling. He asked Castile for his license, and as Castile reached down he said he had a firearm, Yanez told the agents. Yanez said he repeatedly told him not to reach for the gun. > > “It appeared to me that he had no regard to what I was saying. He didn’t care what I was saying. He still reached down.” > > Yanez recalled that Castile kept his left hand on the steering wheel, and the placement of his shoulder blocked Yanez’s sightline to Castile’s right hand. It was at this time that he feared Castile may be reaching for the gun in his waistband or perhaps between the seats. He wondered if Castile may have kept the gun for protection from a drug dealer or someone trying to “rip” from him. > > “And at that point I was scared and I was in fear for my life and my partner’s life,” he told the agents. He thought he saw Castile grab something and pull it away from his right thigh. “I know he had an object — and it was dark,” he said. He thought he saw a gun. If that’s enough to make a reasonable cop jittery, it shouldn’t be surprising when it makes an unreasonable cop (i.e. Yanez) pull the trigger. Knowing that there are unreasonable cops like Yanez out there, it’s in your interest to not do things that even _might_ seem threatening. > [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > It was straight up state-sanctioned murder is what it was. :rolleyes: Spare us the hyperbole, unless you really think Yanez entered the encounter with malice on his mind and an intent to kill someone, and was just waiting for a excuse to do so. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/12 "2017-06-21T14:51:25Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > Gun or not, it’s good policy to always ask for permission before you put your hands somewhere the officer can’t see (e.g. your back pocket or your glovebox). I’ve found that to be good policy in general terms, armed or otherwise. The first time I saw an officer place his hand on his weapon as I reached for my registration and insurance, I figured that out. I don’t generally ask for permission, but I DO narrate my actions in advance: “I’m reaching for my wallet; my license is in there” (moving slowly) “I’m opening the glove compartment, my registration is in there” (moving slowly) When stopped, shut down the engine, roll down the window, put my hands on the top of the wheel, and wait. If it’s dark, I turn on the dome light. I figure that anything I can do to reduce the officer’s anxiety is something that I _should_ be doing. Because I want to get home to my family. Sad commentary, but there it is. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/13 "2017-06-21T14:55:37Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > It shouldn’t fucking matter what weasely words you feel you need to use to tell an officer that you’re in possession of a firearm! They should respond accordingly, not fucking shoot you to death! I agree, but what _should be_ and what _is_ are two separate things. If you want to stay alive, treat cops essentially like you would a dangerous, wild animal. ---
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/14 "2017-06-21T14:58:09Z")
Full disclosure: I’m fairly conservative politically, I tend to favor law enforcement’s side in most encounters that are publicized, and I think many of the shootings / incidents we’ve seen recently have a backstory that gets overlooked or suppressed and which explains why law enforcement officials acted the way they did during the encounters. Having said all that … I have no idea how Yanez was acquitted based on this video, and see no possible rationale for his sudden panic and extreme overreaction. Castile died for no reason whatsoever. It’s no comfort whatsoever, but at least he’s not a policeman any longer. ---
**Author:** ![k9bfriender](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/k9bfriender/32/3283_2.png) [@k9bfriender](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/k9bfriender)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/15 "2017-06-21T14:58:29Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > I’ve found that to be good policy in general terms, armed or otherwise. The first time I saw an officer place his hand on his weapon as I reached for my registration and insurance, I figured that out. I don’t generally ask for permission, but I DO narrate my actions in advance: “I’m reaching for my wallet; my license is in there” (moving slowly) “I’m opening the glove compartment, my registration is in there” (moving slowly) > > When stopped, shut down the engine, roll down the window, put my hands on the top of the wheel, and wait. If it’s dark, I turn on the dome light. I figure that anything I can do to reduce the officer’s anxiety is something that I _should_ be doing. Because I want to get home to my family. > > Sad commentary, but there it is. Problem is, is that could be threatening. > [@](#): > > Yanez recalled that Castile kept his left hand on the steering wheel, and the placement of his shoulder blocked Yanez’s sightline to Castile’s right hand Basically, we need to treat cops like wild animals. Don’t make any sudden moves, don’t do anything that could possibly be viewed as threatening, and if you end up shot anyway, well, you can’t really blame the wild animal for getting spooked. What works in one situation will be exactly the thing that gets you shot in another situation. Why don’t we just train the cops a bit better, pay them a bit better, and have higher standards for those we give guns to and tell to go out on the street and protect order, rather than telling the citizens that they need to treat cops with deference, respect, and as if they were a child. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/16 "2017-06-21T15:01:46Z")
Perhaps he would have been convicted if he had sent disparaging text messages to the guy instead of just shooting him. ---
**Author:** ![Machine\_Elf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@Machine\_Elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Machine_Elf)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/17 "2017-06-21T15:11:25Z")
> [@Tranquilis](#): > > The first time I saw an officer place his hand on his weapon as I reached for my registration and insurance, I figured that out. The first time he placed his hand on his weapon, you didn’t even see it. Watch a few police dash cam videos of traffic stops: in most cases the officer will have has hand on or near his (holstered) weapon while he approaches the driver’s window. They do this because sometimes the driver or passengers will shoot at the cop as soon as he gets to the window. Smart cops won’t relax until they get a clear visual on everyone in the car and can see that nobody poses an immediate threat. > [@k9bfriender](#): > > Basically, we need to treat cops like wild animals. We need to treat them like what they actually are: people who have been trained to expect occasional [attempts on their life during traffic stops.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy1qbLjkJnY) ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/18 "2017-06-21T15:12:45Z")
> [@k9bfriender](#): > > Problem is, is that could be threatening. In that light, and by Yanez’s behavior, _breathing_ could be threatening. You cannot assume that every officer is a wild animal - That way lies paranioa and madness. What you can do, and _ought do_ - if only in sheer self-defense - is take reasonable and prudent actions to minimize your risk. Oh, and yes, DEMAND a higher standard of training for our officers, and PAY for it. Training budgets are sparse, and that needs to be changed - along with a mandate that much of that money be spent on de-escalation training. You get what you demand and PAY for. Demand isn’t enough. Pay isn’t enough. They must go together. ---
**Author:** ![Tranquilis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tranquilis/32/3639_2.png) [@Tranquilis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tranquilis)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/19 "2017-06-21T15:15:08Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > The first time he placed his hand on his weapon, you didn’t even see it. Watch a few police dash cam videos of traffic stops: in most cases the officer will have has hand on or near his (holstered) weapon while he approaches the driver’s window. They do this because sometimes the driver or passengers will shoot at the cop as soon as he gets to the window. Smart cops won’t relax until they get a clear visual on everyone in the car and can see that nobody poses an immediate threat. Trust me, I’m WELL aware of this - And aware that there were times I _didn’t_ see it. But I can only react to what I know - and the first time I _did_ see it, I made a decision. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2017, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504/20 "2017-06-21T15:20:44Z")
> [@Machine\_Elf](#): > > :rolleyes: Spare us the hyperbole, unless you really think Yanez entered the encounter with malice on his mind and an intent to kill someone, and was just waiting for a excuse to do so. Hyperbole? Are you fucking kidding me? “State Sponsored” murder isn’t some fucking order from “on high” to act, it’s an agent of the state committing a fucking act, and then the state folding it’s arms over him or her to protect him or her from prosecution. The tactic is as old as the day is long. In this case, the officer in question only lost his job, poor guy! Those pesky dash and body cams! Had it been you or me, we’d be in prison for life. So make fucking fun all you want, there’s no fucking hyperbole here. It’s been happening over and over and OVER again. Sadly, the genesis of this activity is the black community, which the honest to goodness white folks simply assumed black culpability when they were shot, because they’re negroes. It’s 2017. They are shooting anyone they see fit to shoot. This is not hyperbole. This is reality. And even if the predominate stats show in favor of the black community suffering the losses, then perhaps there’s another answer. The gun war in Chicago isn’t working, and that’s a supposedly “liberal” city. > [@Tranquilis](#): > > I’ve found that to be good policy in general terms, armed or otherwise. The first time I saw an officer place his hand on his weapon as I reached for my registration and insurance, I figured that out. I don’t generally ask for permission, but I DO narrate my actions in advance: “I’m reaching for my wallet; my license is in there” (moving slowly) “I’m opening the glove compartment, my registration is in there” (moving slowly) > > When stopped, shut down the engine, roll down the window, put my hands on the top of the wheel, and wait. If it’s dark, I turn on the dome light. I figure that anything I can do to reduce the officer’s anxiety is something that I _should_ be doing. Because I want to get home to my family. > > Sad commentary, but there it is. Fact is, this guy obeyed all those commands, and got shot dead anyway for disclosing he had a firearm, but mostly, because he was black. > [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > I agree, but what _should be_ and what _is_ are two separate things. If you want to stay alive, treat cops essentially like you would a dangerous, wild animal. I also agree, but IT SHOULDN’T BE THAT WAY. > [@Sauron](#): > > Full disclosure: I’m fairly conservative politically, I tend to favor law enforcement’s side in most encounters that are publicized, and I think many of the shootings / incidents we’ve seen recently have a backstory that gets overlooked or suppressed and which explains why law enforcement officials acted the way they did during the encounters. > > Having said all that … I have no idea how Yanez was acquitted based on this video, and see no possible rationale for his sudden panic and extreme overreaction. Castile died for no reason whatsoever. > > It’s no comfort whatsoever, but at least he’s not a policeman any longer. You’re right, and I align politically with you. Or at least, I used to. There’s no backstory, NOTHING that could absolve this murdering d-bag from his fate. Which ended up being pretty light, IMO. Enjoy your stint as a security guard while you think about murdering a fellow human when you should be in prison. Enjoy it, officer. You’re white, the victim was black. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/philando-castile-shooting-dash-cam-video/789504.md?page=2)