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No charges for US cops who shot unarmed black man 20 times

Saturday, 02 March 2019 11:45 PM [ Last Update: Sunday, 03 March 2019 12:05 AM ]

Stephon Clark was killed in a barrage of gunfire from two police officers in Sacramento, California, in March 2018. (File photo)

The US police officers who fatally shot a black man holding a cellphone in California last year are facing no charges.

"We must recognize that they are often forced to make split-second decisions and we must recognize that they are under tense, uncertain and rapidly evolving circumstances," Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schub said at a news conference Saturday afternoon.

The unarmed African American was killed in the barrage of gunfire from the two police officers in Sacramento, California, in March 2018.

PressTV-Sacramento police killing of black man sparks protests

Newly released video footage of police killing an unarmed black man with 20 shots in Sacramento, California.

Lethal use of force against the 22-year-old Stephon Clark by the two officers was lawful, local authorities argued.

The unnamed officers, who were initially put on administrative leave, returned to work after a month.

The encounter reportedly unfolded behind Clark’s grandparents’ home, where he was staying.

Video of the fatal shooting, captured by body cameras worn by officers involved in the shooting, showed the victim holding an object that later turned out to be a cell phone.

PressTV-Americans mourn police killing of unarmed man

Mourners have expressed grief and rage at the funeral of an unarmed black man shot dead by police in California's capital Sacramento.

The shooting sparked protests across the country, where police use excessive force against African Americans and other minorities.

The incident was among a series of killings of unarmed black men by police across the United Stated since 2014 that has sparked a national debate about racial bias in the criminal justice system and the use of lethal force.

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