Transcript for No charges for officers who shot and killed an unarmed black man
Next to the breaking developments tonight involving the shooting death by an unarmed man by Sacramento police. You may recall these images from last March. Police chasing stephon Clark through his grandmother’s backyard, 20 times. Late word just coming in those officers will not face criminal charges in the case that drew national protests because Clark was unarmed. Here’s ABC’s Marci Gonzalez. Show me your hands. Stop, stop! Reporter: Tonight, the announcement — the officers who shot and killed an unarmed man last year in Sacramento will not face charges. Was a crime comtted? There’s no question that a human being died, but when we look at the facts and the law and we follow our ethical responsibilities, the answer to that question is no. Reporter: Details of the night 22-year-old stephon Clark died, laid out by the district attorney today as she explained why investigators determined deadly use of force was justified in this case. Clark, accused of vandalizing three cars and a house, was confronted in his grandmother’s backyard by two officers. The D.A. Says Clark ignored commands, moving towards the officers, who reported they thought that flash of light from his hand was a gun, they then fired at Clark 20 times. But he did not have a weapon on him. Police finding his cell phone under his body. Clark’s death sparking days of angry protests in Sacramento, police even shutting down admission to a Sacramento kings game. Many enraged learning officers muted their body cameras multiple times and took about seven minutes before performing cpr. And Marci Gonzalez joins us now. There was such a high-profile case, the mayor of Sacramento tonight calling for calm? Reporter: Yes, that’s a exactly right, Tom. The mayor also did not question the d.a.’s decision but he did say there needs to be clearer rules requiring officers to do all they can to prevent potentially deadly confrontations. Still tonight, some groups are calling for more protests. Tom. Marci, thank you. Now to the horrific crash and a father’s desperate plea.
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
