A former Rookie police officer in San Francisco was charged Monday with genocide, nearly three years after he fatally shot a man suspected of possessing a med weapons, officials said.
Former officer Christopher Samoa, who was on his fourth day of field training after graduating from the police academy, shot and killed 42-year-old Keita O’Neill on December 1, 2017, according to court documents.
Bringing the allegations, San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Baudin said the case is believed to be the first cow slaughter proceedings against a law enforcement officer in San Francisco history.
Mr Baudin, a Democrat elected last year, said in an interview on Monday that the allegations were “a small but important step in fulfilling the central platform of my campaign.” He said his office has recently completed a review of the evidence.
“I hope the message people get is that no one is above the law, that we apply the same law in San Francisco regardless of your skin color, how much money you have in your bank account or you wear a uniform. Whether or not. To work, ”said Mr. Baudin.
In a news release on Monday, Mr Baudin said: “While police officers use force – it is mandatory to comply with the law – even when responding to serious crimes. As a district attorney, I will continue to arrest responsible officers who engage in illegal violence and Breaks the trust of places. “
The District Attorney’s Office obtained an arrest warrant for Mr. Samoa over the weekend. Mr Baudin said Mr Samayoa is expected to turn himself in this weekend.
Mr Samoa was charged with both voluntary and involuntary manslaughter, assault with a semiautomatic firearm, assault by a police officer and abandonment of a firearm with gross negligence.
The allegations come at a time when high-profile murders of blacks such as George Floyd and Brenna Taylor have sparked protests against police brutality and vowed to hold officials responsible for killing civilians.
Through Mr. Plaintiff’s office fees, April Green, Mr. O’Neill’s aunt said he was “delighted to hear the news about the allegations” and hoped it would bring some justice to our family. “
Counsel John Buris, representing Mr. O’Neill’s mother in the federal civil rights lawsuit, said the family is happy with the allegation.
“It is important for the community to know that there is a district attorney’s office that will respond to and investigate police shootings,” Mr. Buris added, adding that Mr. Boudin could be a leader, a standard bearer for holding police accountable. , But also to reassure the community that they will not allow or blame police firing. “
Mr. Samyoa’s lawyer, Michael K. Hinkley did not immediately respond to emails or phone calls on Monday.
The San Francisco Police Association did not respond to phone calls Monday asking for comment, but its president, Tony Montoya, told the Associated Press in a statement that the police union “is committed to making sure Christopher and his family are supported in the meantime.” The difficult time and the fact that he is given the right to his due process and hefty defense against these allegations. “
The union said Mr. Samoa was doing what he was trained to do in the shooting, The University said, according to The San Francisco Chronicle.
On December 1, 2017, the murder took place, then, according to Mr. O Sama’s office, Mr. Samoa and Field Training Officer Adrik Taluson responded to the alleged carjacking by Mr. O’Neill.
Mr. O’Neill, who was black, was suspected of stealing a California state lottery minivan. Mr. Samoa and Tal Fischer chased Talus for several blocks in the Bayview District when the van reached Dead-End Street, where Mr. O’Neill jumped and started running, Mr. Boudin said in a news release.
Other patrol cars stopped and blocked Mr. O’Neill’s way, at which point he ran out of the police car where Mr. Samoa was sitting in the passenger seat. Rickies’ officer beat Mr. O’Neill as he drove, according to the release.
The shooting was captured on Mr. Samoa’s body camera.
In March 2018, Mr. Samoa was fired from the Police Department. The department did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment Monday.
In response to why he did not accuse Mr. Samoa of second-degree murder, Mr. Boudin said in an interview that “they are committed to ending the widely criticized practice of district attorneys across the country in overcharging cases.” He added that “that commitment applies to police officer defendants as much as it does to anyone else.”
