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Officer Who Fatally Shot Alton Sterling Fired From Police Department

Baton Rouge Chief of Police Murphy Paul announced the outcome of an administrative investigation of the two officers involved in the 2016 fatal shooting of Alton Sterling.
Wallis Watkins
Baton Rouge Chief of Police Murphy Paul announced the outcome of an administrative investigation of the two officers involved in the 2016 fatal shooting of Alton Sterling.

One police officer has been fired, and another suspended following the 2016 fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge.

Sterling was shot outside a convenience store after an altercation with two white police officers. His death set off days of protests in the city.

The Baton Rouge Police Department concluded its administrative investigation Friday.

Officer Howie Lake II  has been suspended for three days.  The officer who fired the shots that killed Sterling, Blane Salamoni, has been fired. 

Chief of Police Murphy Paul made the announcement, saying the two officers responded to the incident with two different perspectives.

"One officer attempted to use de-escalation and disengagement techniques consistent with policy and procedure and training. And one officer did not follow the tactics, training, professionalism and organizational standards. Simple," he explained at a press conference Friday. 

The decision comes just days after Louisiana's Attorney General said no criminal charges would be brought against the two officers. The Department of Justice also ruled out federal criminal charges in the case.

Copyright 2021 WRKF. To see more, visit .

Wallis Watkins is a Baton Rouge native. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Louisiana State University in 2013. Soon after, she joined WRKF as an intern and is now reporting on health and health policy for Louisiana's Prescription.

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