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Police Chief Says Officer Who Shot Castile Had ‘Sterling Reputation’

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Amber Randall Civil Rights Reporter
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A Minnesota police chief recently came out in an interview to defend the officer who shot Philando Castile.

Officer Jeronimo Yanez had a “sterling reputation,” said St. Anthony Police Chief Jon Mangseth in an interview with the Associated Press

“He has a real sound ability when it comes to communicating and relating to people. He showed me that he could shine in the public eye,” Mangseth told the Associated Press.

Yanez, according to Mangseth, was set to return to work Wednesday and will be on administrative duty, carrying out desk duties while the investigation continues.

During a traffic stop July 6, Yanez shot Castile, a 32-year-old black man. He was pulled over for a broken tail light. Castile’s girlfriend Diamond Reynolds, who was present and filmed the entire incident, said that Castile informed officers that he was licensed to carry and had his gun with him.

Reynolds said that Yanez shot Castile multiple times when Castile said he was reaching for his identification.

Castile’s girlfriend filmed what happened after the shooting and streamed the video via Facebook Live. Police said that Yanez was put on administrative leave after the shooting.

In the video, Yanez is heard screaming that he told Castile not to reach for his gun. Mangseth said that Yanez’s reaction was normal for such a highly stressful situation.

Mangseth also mentioned that he had been in contact with Yanez since the shooting, saying that he had offered counseling services to Yanez. He is not sure whether Yanez has made use of them or not.

“He’s concerned for his future and for his family,” Mangseth said to the Associated Press, “This has put him and his family front and center in our metro area, not to mention the nation.”

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