Black father killed by police in front of supermarket


Team Udayavani, Apr 18, 2018, 1:02 PM IST

Los Angeles: Police gunned down an African American father of three using two dozen bullets in the parking lot of a Walmart supermarket in California, authorities and his lawyer has said. Diante Yarber, 26, was unarmed and parking his car in Barstow, about two hours east of Los Angeles, at the time of the incident on April 4, according to his lawyer Lee Merritt.

Among the car’s four passengers was 26-year-old Mariana Tafoya, who is recovering in hospital from bullet wounds, Merritt told AFP yesterday. He said police officers shot a total of 30 bullets, two dozen of which hit Yarber. The lawyer plans to file a complaint this week for “excessive policing” on behalf of Yarber’s family.

Police indicated officers had responded to reports of a “suspicious vehicle.” “The suspect/driver began accelerating his vehicle in reverse, striking a police vehicle. The vehicle then accelerated forward toward the officers, and then accelerated in reverse toward officers and striking another patrol vehicle,” police said.

“Afterward, an officer-involved shooting ensued.” Merritt, the lawyer, said three police cars had responded to the incident. Two other passengers in Yarber’s car were arrested on site and later released. One was lightly wounded during the incident, and a police officer was also lightly hurt. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Officer indicated that officers thought Yarber was a car theft suspect. However, Merritt indicated the vehicle, a black Ford Mustang, belonged to Yarber’s cousin.

“The institutional racism that got 2 blk men arrested at @Starbucks got #DianteYarber killed for looking suspicious outside of @Walmart 30+ bullets poured into a car filled with people posing no threat to anyone!” the lawyer wrote on Twitter. However, Merritt said his planned lawsuit would not be a racism claim.

Walmart did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the Barstow store will be closed during the investigation.

Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.

Top News

Egg distribution scheme for school children under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement

India Post M’luru division to offer doorstep service to pensioners for Jeevan Praman certificate

Cong asks PM Modi why Gujarat’s white onion farmers given preferential treatment

Kharge slams Fadnavis, says people of Maharashtra will give a befitting reply to BJP

Doctors report treating ‘petticoat cancer’ in women who might have tied sarees tightly at waist

Incentive fund for SC/ST students of national institutes increased, says Minister Mahadevappa

Terminal 2 of Bengaluru airport gets 4,000 sqft hydroponic green wall

Related Articles More

‘America of your dreams calling’: Biden to Democratic supporters

Indian consulate in Canada cancels consular camps due over security issues

Hindu temple in Brampton suspends priest for spreading ‘violent rhetoric’

President Xi congratulates Trump; says China, US should find ‘right way’ to manage differences

Harris, Trump agree on importance of unifying country as they speak over phone

MUST WATCH

Gho Pooja in Deepavali Festival

Melukote Deepavali

Ganapathi Co-operative Society Ltd

Udayavani Chinnara Banna 2024

Annapoorna Aahar | Food Places In Mysore


Latest Additions

M’luru: Flying squad shall curb illegal lotteries and betting, says ADC

Egg distribution scheme for school children under scrutiny over alleged mismanagement

India Post M’luru division to offer doorstep service to pensioners for Jeevan Praman certificate

Channapatna By-election: HDK releases audio of D K Suresh’s comments on Yogeeshwar

Cong asks PM Modi why Gujarat’s white onion farmers given preferential treatment

Thanks for visiting Udayavani

You seem to have an Ad Blocker on.
To continue reading, please turn it off or whitelist Udayavani.