Horrific new video shows cop shooting black man reaching for his drivers license

Because this is the America we live in

Published September 26, 2014 5:28PM (EDT)

                        (<a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/gallery-1319155p1.html'>Kozorez Vladislav</a> via <a href='http://www.shutterstock.com/'>Shutterstock</a>)
(Kozorez Vladislav via Shutterstock)

South Carolina state trooper Sean Groubert has been fired and charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature for shooting 35-year-old Levar Jones, after Groubert pulled him over for not wearing a seatbelt.

In a video recorded with a patrol vehicle dashboard camera, one can see Groubert pull Jones over. After Jones steps out of his vehicle, Groubert asks him to retrieve his license. Jones then turns around to reach in the car for his wallet, at which point the cop shouts, "Get out of the car!" and fires at least four shots in Jones' direction.

Jones puts his hands in the air before falling to the ground and saying, "You said get my license! I grabbed my license... Why did you shoot me?"

Groubert responds, "You dove into the car."

South Carolina Department of Public Safety Director Leroy Smith made the following statement: "After my review of the facts surrounding this matter, I have determined that Mr. Groubert’s actions rose to such an extent that his employment with us must be terminated. The facts of this case are disturbing to me, but I believe this case was an isolated incident in which Mr. Groubert reacted to a perceived threat where there was none."

If convicted, Groubert faces 20 years in prison. He has been released on a $75,000 bond.


By Joanna Rothkopf

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Assault Guns Levar Jones Police Brutality Sam Groubert South Carolina Video