Hundreds of protesters clashed with the local police and covered the DA’s office in red paint resembling blood following the prosecutor’s announcement that the killing of the young man who was shot in the back by police officers was justified.
22-year-old Bernardo Palacios-Carbajal was gunned down by two police officers who were responding to reports of a suspect pointing a gun at a victim and making threats with a gun.
After arriving at the scene, the cops pursued the young man who had attempted to run away before catching him and shooting him multiple times in the back as he allegedly reached for his gun and attempted to raise it.
Following the 22-year-old’s death, protesters have been calling for justice, whereas the authorities have dubbed the officers’ actions as justified.
According to Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, Utah law allows police officers to resort to the use of deadly force when “the suspect has committed a felony offense involving the infliction or threatened infliction of death or serious bodily injury” or if “the suspect poses a threat of death or serious bodily injury to the officer or to others.” The prosecutor also confirmed Utah officers may use deadly force to “prevent the escape.”
“In this case, it is justified under the statute,” Gill reportedly said.
In protest against the authorities’ decision not to pursue any charges against officers Neil Iversen and Kevin Fortuna, some 150 demonstrators had gathered in front of Gill’s office before smearing the building in red paint, resembling blood, and covering it in signs that read: “Justice for Bernardo.”
On the wall in front of the entrance of the Utah government building, the protesters also left behind a series of handprints made by dipping their hands into the red paint used to vandalize the office.
The dissent followed shortly after the protesters were seen clashing with the police who attempted to clear the streets surrounding the DA’s office.
According to the reports, some officers sustained injuries during the protest, prompting the police to react with batons and riot shields to break up the crowd.
Hoping to hear that murder charges have been laid on the officers responsible for Bernardo’s death, the protesters were enraged after Gill announced that the killing was justified.
Later, on Thursday evening, a great mass of protesters descended on the DA’s office and smeared the surrounding streets and the walls of the building in red paint.
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Replaced!