Grand jury clears Louisiana officer in fatal shooting

Grand jury clears Louisiana officer in fatal shooting

The family of a 26-year-old man shot by police after threatening a store clerk with a lethal-looking BB gun plans to sue, now that a Louisiana grand jury has cleared the officer.

Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John DeRosier said at a news conference Thursday that a Louisiana grand jury rejected three possible charges against Lake Charles Police Officer Jonathan Landrum in the death of Juston Landry.

Attorney Derrick Kee tells KPLC-TV that Landry’s family will sue the police and may ask the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the department’s interactions with the community.

The American Press reports that video recorded the officer repeating “Show your hands!” and opened fire as the young man turned slightly toward him while trying to run away on Jan. 11

Police Chief Shawn Caldwell said Landry’s family shares the blame for not fully addressing his mental health problems. Kee says that’s demonizing the victim.

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