Amid reports coming forth of police using excessive force and escaping any scrutiny comes a South Carolina State Trooper by the name of Sean Groubert. The 31-year-old trooper stopped an African-American male car driver at a routine traffic stop.
Officer Groubert had his patrol cam running when he asked the driver to present his license. Within four seconds, Officer Groubert began discharging his sidearm at the driver. It should be noted that the driver was unarmed and was not seen menacing nor in any way threatening Officer Groubert. Regardless, Levar Jones, the driver of the car, was not armed which makes the use of a firearm excessive.
Thankfully, the police will not be excusing Officer Groubert’s behavior much as police departments have been doing throughout the nation. This past Friday, the lance corporal was sacked of his job with the police department. He has also been criminally charged in the shooting.
He has been arrested and is currently at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center where he faces charges for aggravated assault and battery. His bond has been set at $75,000. Now, the disgraced former officer faces up to 20 years if convicted. As for Mr. Jones, he has been released from the hospital where he was treated for wounds to his hip as a result of taking at least one round.
It is not clear if Jones will file a lawsuit against the police department in connection with the shooting. Sadly, the police officer responsible for shooting and killing a Walmart patron in Ohio who had an air rifle still in the box was cleared of any wrongdoing.